We, the undersigned, write to express our concern and strongest opposition to the proposed restructure and compulsory staff redundancies proposed within Chemistry at the University of Sheffield.
The University’s proposal for Chemistry will cut six full-time equivalent (FTE) academic posts from an existing roll of just 28 FTEs. This follows a loss of 7 FTE posts over the last two years alone, resulting in a devastating near 40% reduction in Chemistry academic staff in all, with no vision articulated to rebuild.
As a foundational pillar of the University, Chemistry at Sheffield sustains a legacy of globally recognised research, transformative education, and industrial and regional impact. This is a tradition of excellence that remains vibrant today. As the central Science, dismantling Chemistry would weaken a discipline that serves as a vital bridge between physics, mathematics, biology, medicine, materials and engineering. As the University's own alumnus and Nobel Laureate Sir Richard Roberts has observed, “Much of my work in biology has been driven by my early training in chemistry.” His Sheffield training exemplifies the indispensable role of chemistry in enabling world-leading scientific discovery and innovation across disciplinary boundaries.
These proposals will cause long lasting and irreversible damage to the University, as a staff reduction of this magnitude fundamentally threatens the sustainability of both Chemistry teaching and research at Sheffield. It directly jeopardises student outcomes, fractures research networks, and compromises the mentorship of the next generation of scientific talent. Furthermore, it risks severely damaging the standing of the University in national and international league tables, ultimately undermining future student recruitment and institutional prestige.
Chemistry is essential to addressing the most critical scientific and industrial challenges of our time, including clean energy, sustainable materials, new medicines, advanced manufacturing, environmental protection, biotechnology, and the transition to a low carbon economy, as highlighted in the Modern Industrial Strategy of the United Kingdom. At a time when demand for skilled chemical scientists is rising, the University should be investing in the future of Chemistry at Sheffield rather than overseeing its reduction. University Chemistry provision across the UK, and particularly within Yorkshire and the East Midlands, is already under pressure. Further reducing capacity will restrict the pipeline of skilled graduates and innovation precisely when industrial and scientific demand is growing.
We urge the University’s Senior Leadership and Council to immediately withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies and work with staff, students, alumni, collaborators, industry partners and the wider scientific community to secure a sustainable future for Chemistry at Sheffield.
Signatories
1383 signatories shown
| Name | Institution | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Richard J. Roberts (Nobel Laureate Physiology or Medicine 1993) | New England Biolabs | Without my undergraduate and postgraduate training in Chemistry at Sheffield I would not have been able to pursue my career in Molecular Biology so successfully. I remain ever grateful for the opportunities provided by studying chemistry. |
| Venki Ramakrishnan, FRS (Nobel Laureate Chemistry 2009) | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge | Chemistry is one of the fundamental sciences and more over is a bridging science that connects physics, biology and other areas like geology and material science. It is simply unthinkable that a modern university, let alone a research university, would want to reduce its commitment to chemistry at a precise time when Britain is striving to compete as a knowledge based economy. |
| Carolyn Bertozzi (Nobel Laureate Chemistry 2022) | Stanford Univ | Chemistry is the central science that powers all others. Divesting in your chemistry department means a divestment from science-driven innovation. |
| Prof Richard Robson, FRS (Nobel Laureate Chemistry 2025) | University of Melbourne | |
| Professor Arieh Warshel (Nobel Laureate Chemistry 2013) | University of Southern California | it is essential to keep the support of the great science of the UK institutions that has been contributing so much to foundamental breakthroughs in sciencw |
| Prof Omar Yaghi (Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025) | UC Berkeley | In an age when progress depends on mastering matter at the atomic and molecular level, reducing chemistry is unthinkable. Chemistry is indispensable to understanding the living and nonliving world—from disease and medicines to materials, air, water, and energy. A serious university should not reduce chemistry; it should strengthen it and intensify it as one of the essential engines of discovery and progress. |
| Kurt Wüthrich (Nobel Laureate Chemistry 2002) | ETH Zürich, Scripps Research, La Jolla, CA, USA and ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China. | During the past few years, I have followed the situation with Chemistry Departments at UK Universities with great concern; similar downgrading attempts have also been made in the USA, including power houses such as UC Berkeley. I have sent numerous documents protesting against these developments and also written my own letters. I am very disappointed to learn that the University of Sheffield, the alma mater of a much-cherished honorary degree that was conferred to me in 2004, is now also a target of downgrading attempts. |
| Professor Neil Hunter FRS, Krebs Chair in Biochemistry | University of Sheffield | I see that Sheffield University displays its new QS World University ranking on its web pages, but I wonder how it helps our reputation to close the one department, Chemistry, that is central to any aspiration to be a credible science university. It’s extraordinary to even contemplate undermining and eroding the department once led by Nobel Laureate George Porter, a giant of 20th century science. If the university continues down this path and closes the Chemistry department, there is no going back and there would be repercussions for all science departments at Sheffield, as well as lasting damage to our scientific standing. |
| Professor Sir Vernon Gibson CB, FRS | Imperial College London | |
| Sir Martyn Poliakoff CBE FREng FRS HonFRSC | University of Nottingham | A flourishing Chemistry department is an essential component for any research intensive university. It would be a huge loss to Sheffield and to the UK as a whole if its Chemistry department were to be downgraded as proposed. |
| Prof David Leigh FRS, Royal Society Research Professor & President-elect of the Royal Society of Chemistry | University of Manchester | It was deeply troubling to learn of the threat of further redundancies in a Chemistry Department with such a spectacular track record of success. I received my undergraduate and PhD training in Chemistry at Sheffield, the latter under the supervision of the late Sir J. Fraser Stoddart FRS, who received the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the work he pioneered in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. A key finding of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology’s assessment The value of public R&D, published on 30 October 2025, was that “on average, £1 of civil public R&D investment generates £8 in net economic benefits for the UK over the long term.” Sustained investment in science therefore matters not simply as support for universities and laboratories, but as core economic policy. It helps turn ideas into high-value sectors such as life sciences, clean technology, AI and advanced manufacturing, raises the absorptive capacity of firms, and gives the UK a better chance of competing internationally in the industries that will drive future growth. It is therefore the wrong choice to make further staff cuts in Chemistry at Sheffield. These are the people responsible for educating and training the next generation of scientists who will deliver the skills, discoveries and industrial capacity on which those high-value sectors depend. Weakening this provision would undermine exactly the pipeline of talent, skills and innovation that national policy says the UK urgently needs to strengthen. |
| Dek Woolfson FRS | Universities of Bristol and Copenhagen | This is deeply worrisome news. Chemistry is a central science linking many other disciplines. Sheffield has a long and strong history in chemistry that has produced some of the UK’s finest chemists and biochemists. For these and many other reasons, leading UK universities like Sheffield must ensure that chemistry survives and flourishes despite these challenging times. |
| Patrick Unwin FRS | University of Warwick | I am shocked to learn of this damaging proposal from the University of Sheffield to further reduce provision in Chemistry to a scale where it will be difficult to maintain a credible research and teaching base. Chemistry at Sheffield has a distinguished track record as an internationally leading Department and should have a promising future with support, investment and - crucially - strategic leadership from the University. As iterated in the Open Letter, Chemistry underpins medicine, pharmacy, biosciences, and makes significant contributions to materials science, dentistry, energy research, and areas of engineering. Some of the most important and flourishing industrial partnerships come through Chemistry. I urge the Senior Leadership at the University of Sheffield to look again at your proposal. Choose to strengthen and support your Chemistry Department - and the University will benefit. Please also remember your duty as a Civic University and ensure that the city and wider region have a science base that will help it to prosper and of which it can be proud. |
| Professor Charles Stirling FRS | Retired - Department of Chemistry, University of Sheffield | I wholly agree with the points that have been made in the submission it would be ludicrous not to have chemistry department in the University of Sheffield |
| Professor P. J. Sadler FRSE FRS Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, EPSRC RISE Fellow Davy Medal 2022, Blaise Pascal Medal 2025 | University of Warwick | The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield has a long track record of world-leading research in the Chemical Sciences. Their future contribution to academia, industry and public understanding of science is crucial for the UK economy, and for the very high international reputation of scientific research and teaching at the University of Sheffield. |
| Prof Russell Morris FRS | University of St Andrews | I have always looked up to my colleagues in Chemistry at Sheffield. Reducing this vibrant and influential Department will be a blow not only to the city but to UK science in general. As a nation we cannot afford to lose such important science. |
| Prof Sarah (Sally) Price FRS | University College London | Sheffield Chemistry Department has a long tradition of being an integral part of the UK Chemistry community. I gave my first invited seminar there as a very early career researcher. Chemistry is such a central science that Sheffield would soon see the detrimental effect that the loss of Chemistry would have on its allied science departments, including the ability to locate Chemistry expertise elsewhere in UK. |
| Prof Andrew Cooper, FRS | University of Liverpool | |
| Professor Robin Perutz FRS | University of York | I am extremely familiar with Sheffield's Department of Chemistry having served as undergraduate external examiner, collaborated with colleagues through joint research council grants and attended numerous conferences at the University. The Department's roll of honour is probably the best in the North of England with four Nobel Laureates (Porter, Roberts, Kroto and Stoddart) and numerous Fellows of the Royal Society (past such as Maitlis and Fowler and current such as Armes). Through my familiarity with the Department, I have grown to admire it greatly. The plan to cut so many of the staff risks a vicious spiral of decline. This is the way for the University to commit self-harm!. I urge the University to reconsider its policies. |
| Prof Michael Robb FRS | Imperial College Chemistry | History repeats itself after almost 25 years since the last time this happened |
| Prof Nigel Scrutton FRS | University of Manchester | This is a matter of serious concern. Chemistry lies at the heart of scientific progress and growth of the UK economy. The University of Sheffield has a long-standing record of educating and supporting many of the UK's most distinguished scientists. At a time when the discipline faces significant challenges, it is essential that Sheffield preserves its strength and prominence in chemistry. |
| Robert K Thomas, FRS | University of Oxford | Chemistry is an essential subject in any institution that calls itself a university |
| Emeritus Professor Anthony Legon FRS | University of Bristol | |
| Prof Hanadi Sleiman, FRS, FRSC | McGill University | Chemistry is the foundation of modern science and society, from the mRNA vaccines that fought COVID-19, to the catalysts enabling the green energy transition, to the targeted therapies transforming cancer treatment. The University of Sheffield Chemistry Department embodies this excellence at the highest level: home to four Nobel Prize-winning chemists, it continues today to house some of the most creative and important scientists in the world. I have witnessed this firsthand through my own active collaborations with its outstanding faculty. |
| Prof Simon Foster FMedSci FRS | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Emerita Eleanor Campbell FRS | University of Edinburgh | |
| Professor (Emeritus) Mike Ashfold FRS | University of Bristol | |
| Professor Andrew Orr-Ewing FRS | University of Bristol | |
| Prof Stephen Mann FRS | University of Bristol | |
| Emeritus Professor David Phillips,CBE,FRS,Past President Royal Society of Chemistry | Imperial College London | |
| Prof Malcolm White FRSE | St Andrews University | As a biologist, I can state that a thriving Chemistry department is a prerequisite for any University that considers itself to be "research intensive". Please reconsider these planned cuts. |
| Professor Sir Alan Fersht FMedSci FRS | University of Cambridge | Chemistry is a subject that combines pioneering academic research with major practical consequences in improving human welfare and in wealth creation. Sheffield University has a superb reputation in Chemistry, and so it is beyond belief that the university should even consider measures that will severely weaken its department. |
| Prof. Stephen C. West FRS | The Francis Crick Institute, London | |
| Prof. Steve Liddle FRSE | The University of Manchester | |
| Prof Xiaodong Zhang FRS | Imperial College London/Francis Crick Institute | Chemistry is a fundamental discipline that bridges physical sciences, engineer with life sciences and medicine. While many other countries are strengthening their science investment including in chemistry, it is a shame that many UK universities are reducing and diminishing their support. In addition to education and research, academic staff are revenue generators for a university. Without them, there will be no universities. |
| Prof Dame Athene Donald DBE FRS | University of Cambridge | |
| Dr. Christopher G Newton MA,MSc, PhD, C.Chem, FRS | Retired | Sheffield is a pillar of UK chemistry and properly bridges together all other sciences. Its heritage and reputation at Sheffield is first class. It just be built on and not allowed to whither as if it withers so shall all other sciences. . |
| Prof John Sutherland FRS | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology | |
| Prof Judith A K Howard, CBE, FRS | Durham University | Sheffield has a long history of excellence in chemistry and the potential threats now hovering will ruin its abiity to continue the highest levels of teaching and research and the output of much needed top rank graduate for UK plc needs in science. We urge the top administration to reconsider such drastic cuts to one of our best science departments in the UK. |
| Prof Philipp Kukura FRS | University of Oxford | |
| Prof Robert Crabtree, FRS | Yale University | Sheffield science should be supported because it provides technically qualified people for commerce and industry. |
| Professor Gill Reid CBE, CChem FRSC, FRSE, FEurASc | University of Southampton | I urge the Sheffield University management to reconsider this decision, the effects of which would be devastating to the Department of Chemistry, with long term implications. |
| Sir Richard Catlow FRS HonFRSC | University College London and Cardiff University | Chemistry is a core discipline of vital importance in responding to key global challenges, including sustainability, food security and global health. The level of cuts proposed by the university will make it impossible to continue competitive programmes in both research and teaching.. If Sheffield wishes to remain a internationally leading university it needs a strong and successful chemistry department. |
| Prof Steve Armes FRS | University of Sheffield | |
| Emeritus Prof Patrick Fowler FRS | University of Sheffield | |
| Varinder Aggarwal FRS | University of Bristol | The University of Sheffield has a distinguished and internationally respected legacy, built over generations through academic excellence, innovation, and a commitment to discovery. For decades, it was home to some of the country’s most creative and influential chemists, whose contributions helped define the institution’s reputation. I had the privilege of spending nine rewarding years as an academic at Sheffield, experiencing first-hand the remarkable collaboration between academic, technical, and support staff, and students. The proposed hollowing out of the department risks inflicting lasting damage on this extraordinary institution, undermining decades of accumulated expertise and achievement. I urge the university’s leadership to reconsider these plans and work constructively with all stakeholders to find a more equitable and sustainable solution to the financial challenges it faces. |
| Prof Thomas Carell | LMU Munich | Sheffield is a great place for Chemistry and Biochemistry with a long tradition! GB needs to keep such Institutions to keep an industrial basis |
| Christopher Hunter FRS | University of Cambridge | A university that does not have a chemistry department cannot be taken seriously. |
| Prof Paul Schimmel, Membership of the National Academy of Sciences. | Scripps Research and MIT | |
| Prof Jonathan Reid FRS | University of Bristol | |
| Prof. Hongwei Duan | Nanyang Technological University | |
| Peter Coveney FREng | University College London | |
| Prof Mike Ward | University of Warwick | I worked in Sheffield chemistry from 2003 to 2017, and during that time I was head of department for 6.5 years. It was a privilege to work with so many excellent colleagues. Such a distinguished department that has contributed so much to the UK chemistry landscape - both from its own research and from the people who were trained there and moved on - deserves better than this. The department name has already been erased and now the staff are being picked off. Chemistry is not called the 'central science' for nothing - chemistry is integral to medicine, life sciences, physics, feeding the world, keeping us healthy, and making new materials for everything from recyclable plastics to smartphone batteries. A university that hollows out its scientific core like this will rapidly and deservedly lose its scientific credibility and reputation, and with that REF performance, QS rankings, and overseas students... all the things that universities need to care about at the moment. An entirely self-inflicted wound. |
| Stuart Cantrill | UCLA alumnus | |
| Prof. dr. Floris Rutjes | Radboud University | Past- Director of the Institute for Molecules and Materials at Radboud University, Past-President of the European Chemical Society - I strongly support maintaining the chemistry educational and research activities in Sheffield! |
| Dr. Robert Heald | Artios Pharma | Chemistry education and research is one of the key drivers if innovation and economic growth in the UK and needs to be protected. |
| Prof Jody Mason | University of Bath | Chemistry is foundational to the life sciences, medicine, materials, energy and innovation. As a biochemist, I see daily how chemical expertise underpins discovery and training across disciplines. Further cuts to Sheffield Chemistry would be a serious strategic mistake with long-term consequences for research, teaching and UK scientific capacity. |
| Professor Paul Raithby | University of Bath | High-quality teaching and research in Chemistry in the UK are vital to the country's economic and social well-being. Until now, the UK has been recognized as being world-leading in the field of Chemistry. However, the degradation of Chemistry Departments, leading to potential closure, will have an adverse effect not only on the academic sector but also on many industries that have direct links to Chemistry, ranging from the environment to medicine and electronics. In the current challenging times, University Science Departments should receive more support, as scientific innovation is key to fostering growth. Sheffield Chemistry Department is recognised as a leading centre for science and innovation, contributing strongly to the local community, to the UK, and to the international community. It would be short-sighted in the extreme to proceed with the proposed cuts to the Department, and the proposals should be withdrawn forthwith. |
| Dr Maria Paz Muñoz | Lancaster University | |
| Prof David K. Smith | University of York | Chemistry in Sheffield has already been cut to 28 FTE, the proposal to cut staffing further to just 22 FTE means it will be impossible for the department to deliver both excellent teaching and excellent research. Indeed, it will become almost impossible for a department of that size to even offer just excellent teaching in chemistry, given the intensive nature of training in the subject with a high number of contact, teaching laboratory, and project hours. It is well-established that chemistry is a fundamental central science that underpins progress in biochemical, biomedical, environmental and physical sciences. A university without strength in chemistry finds it significantly harder to attract staff or research funding in these vital adjacent areas. Essentially, if actioned, this cut will mark the end of chemistry as a serious research-led subject at the University of Sheffield, and will deeply damage the future recruitment of both students and staff. |
| Prof Malcolm Halcrow | University of Leeds | Sheffield had an intake of 200 chemistry students each year not so long ago, at a time when national demand was similar to now. It's a shame there's no ambition to recreate that success. |
| Dr Lisa Kerr | AstraZeneca | Working for 23 years post my degree and PhD at Sheffield n the Pharmaceutical industry, which is still growing and present in the North of England with investments in chemical plant production this move undermines a fundamental science that is vital to the UK economy. I urge the university leadership to reconsider and invest in the future of chemistry, as a vital discipline at the centre of science Dr Lisa Kerr, head of Patient Engagement, AstraZeneca |
| Professor Iain Coldham | University of Sheffield | Chemistry at Sheffield is very highly regarded internationally and this is being undermined by the restructuring. Having worked in the Department, now School of MPS, at Sheffield for over 20 years, I took VS last year and can vouch for the excellent staff carrying out high quality research and teaching. With fewer staff, this will be much, much harder. The University should realise that the highest ranked Chemistry Departments are typically large (try checking the data), and be striving to raise the profile by maintaining or enhancing staff and student numbers, despite the current climate. Reducing staff count yet further, particularly through compulsory redundancies, will damage the reputation of the University. |
| Prof S Lecommandoux | Univ. Bordeaux France | Internationally recognized colleagues and strong polymer science research at Sheffield that should be maintained at the highest level and supported |
| Prof John A Tainer | University of Texas MD Anderson | Sheffield Chemistry has been a world leader in breakthrough insights and translatable discovers that strengthen UK science in important ways. Many of these contributions are unique. Importantly they are empowering to the next generation of researchers and to the biomedical economy. Without doubt itwould be a devastating blow to UK science to lose its foundational contributions. |
| Prof Mike Williamson FRSC | University of Sheffield | There is a very strong correlation between REF score in Chemistry and departmental size. Cutting any further will worsen an already bad situation - what they need is resources. |
| Professor Peter Dowding | Infineum UK Limited | Chemistry is vital to the future of the UK and a significant contributor to BDP. Chemistry graduates are sought after, not only in the chemical and broader science sectors, but across a wide variety of business including finance and accountancy, due to the critical thinking and numeracy skills developed during their chemistry degree. Sheffield chemistry has produced some fantastic graduates and does first class research and should be a jewel in the university's crown.. |
| Prof Cameron McLeod | University of Sheffield | The current direction of travel for Chemistry, as a result of restructuring, is terminal decline given that prospective students will simply opt to study at competitor institutions when they learn of Sheffield`s plan to effectively downgrade Chemistry. I would urge the University to reflect on the substance and comments in the Open Letter and henceforth, in consultation with senior staff in Chemistry, devise an alternative financial framework that addresses the following: 1) Ensure high visibility for Chemistry in marketing/promotional activities e.g., website, schools events, publications etc; 2) Seek strategic partnerships with UK plc to (a) co-fund state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructure for U/G teaching and research and (b) Secure new jointly funded staff appointments whereby the Division of Chemistry has the necessary critical mass to map well to priority research topics (UKRI/EU) and at the same time maintain quality undergraduate teaching programmes. Disinvesting in a key STEM discipline like Chemistry is not the way to achieving excellence in future REF exercises where increasingly interdisciplinary activity will be highly valued. |
| Prof Oscar Ces | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Asad Fallah | AF ChemPharm | AF Chempharm is a local CRO co-founded 28 years ago alongside Professor Alan Spivey, who was then a Reader at the University of Sheffield. Since our inception, we have maintained a long-standing and deeply valued relationship with the University's Chemistry Department. Once a thriving, vibrant, and innovative institution, the department has unfortunately experienced a progressive reduction in activity in recent years. Any further reduction in academic staff will undoubtedly diminish the department's standing among the world's high-ranking centers of innovation. As a local CRO and long-term collaborator, we strongly urge the university's decision-makers to reverse this decision and safeguard the department's future. |
| David Grills (Senior Chemist) | Brookhaven National Laboratory (USA) | A thriving Chemistry Department is essential for a top tier research university. Please reconsider these cuts, which will have a devastating impact. |
| Dr Brice Darroch | ACS Publications | The Department of Chemistry is core to the very identity of the University of Sheffield and to see such a savage reduction in staffing, which will surely fall on academics who have worked faithfully in the department for many years, is tragic and should be reconsidered. |
| Dr Cate Anstöter | University of Oxford | The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield is one of the UK's leading centres for chemical research and education, with internationally recognised strengths in areas including materials chemistry, polymer science, catalysis, spectroscopy and computational chemistry. It has a strong history of scientific discovery, has educated and employed multiple Nobel laureates, and continues to contribute to advances in healthcare, manufacturing, energy, and sustainability. Chemitsry is an extraordinarily broad subject, and a leading department needs both breadth and depth of knowledge amongst its academic staff. The proposed reduction in academic staff follows previous rounds of cuts, and will undermine the critical mass needed to sustain world-leading research, deliver excellent teaching for students, and generate the innovations that contribute to regional and national economic growth. Rebuilding lost expertise is far more difficult than preserving it, as many other departments have found to their cost after similar cuts. At a time when chemistry is central to addressing global challenges—from climate change and clean energy to advanced materials and new medicines—the UK should be investing in departments with Sheffield's proven record, not diminishing their capacity. Protecting the Department of Chemistry within any university is an investment in scientific excellence, innovation, skilled graduates and the long-term prosperity of the UK. |
| Prof Lin Chen, FRSC, AAAS, ACA fellow | Northwestern University/Argonne National Laboratory | Cutting several FTE in a very short time is detrimental to a successful Department with a long history, especially in training young generation of scientists to encounter challenges of this century. |
| Prof Giuseppe Battaglia | Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia | |
| Prof Lara Estroff | Cornell University | As a collaborator with several Sheffield chemistry professors, I know that world class research goes on in the Sheffield chemistry department. It is shortsighted to shrink this amazing department with a global impact |
| Dr James Shipp | University of Pittsburgh | The chemistry department at the University of Sheffield was where I did my MChem and PhD, genuinely it is the best department I have been a part of and the training i received was of the highest quality - enabling me to go on to become a research professor in the U.S. Future generations of chemists deserve to have the same opportunities that I did, and the Chemistry department at Sheffield deserves the support it needs to continue its vital work |
| Sam Marsh | University of Sheffield | The University has described this restructure as a way for the subject to "thrive and grow" in Sheffield. They used precisely the same language in to justify closure of the Archaeology department, a subject which is no longer thriving or growing in Sheffield. Is this intentional double-speak, or are poor decisions being made one after another? #SaveSheffieldChemistry |
| Dr Todd Gillam | Murdoch University | The work of Chemists at Sheffield University inspired my own commitment to a career as a Chemistry Academic. Featuring eminent researchers who are globally recognised and respected both for their scientific contribution and their integrity and community spirit. |
| Dr Tom Roseveare | University of Lincoln | Chemistry @ Sheffield was vital in my development as a researcher and was one of the most enjoyable and welcoming communities to be a part of. I will always value my time there and hope that future generations of chemists will have the same opportunities. |
| Dr Jen Vanderhoven | BBIA | I did my PhD in Chemisty at Sheffield. An amazing department |
| Steven Brown | Scott Bader Company Ltd | At a recent industrial steering group meeting I expressed my concerns that the strategy from the Chancellor's office was ill conceived and would have follow on consequences that will be retrospectively regretted. Redundancies to save £1.5m in the shadow of a new >£120m teaching lab which, due to its design, limits the number of possible chemistry undergraduates to less than their Northern Uni competitors seems absurd. The optics are terrible and it will be viewed as a vanity project, built on the back of hard working academics. Sadly, those behind this decision will not be impacted and they'll move on perhaps picking up a knighthood along the way. |
| Professor Cameron Alexander CChem FRSC | University of Nottingham | Chemistry is the central science and provides the foundation for medicine and much of industry. A strong chemistry department is an essential part of any organisation that calls itself a university. |
| Professor Duncan Bruce | University of York | I started my independent academic career in Sheffield, spending eleven wonderful and formative years there in a Department that boasts four Nobel Laureates – Roberts and Kroto as former students and Porter and Stoddart as former academics. For a major red-brick University such as Sheffield somehow not to see and appreciate the central nature of the discipline of Chemistry in its subject mix is simply staggering. There is time to change that and that time is now. I urge the University to do this before it damages its international standing. |
| Tom Brown, FRSE Professor of Chemistry | University of Oxford | The Chemistry Department at Sheffield University has a distinguished record in teaching and world-leading research. Chemistry as a discipline underpins so many other academic areas including biology, medicine, materials, physics etc. In addition it is extremely important to the local, regional and national economy, impacting on a broad span of industry including Pharma. For a University as internationally important as Sheffield not to have a vibrant Chemistry Department is a major strategic mistake with damaging long-term implications. The University should invest in chemistry, support existing staff and make new appointments in areas of growth, of which there are several. |
| Prof Andy Wilson | University of Birmingham | Many others have written this. Chemistry is a bridging science; it underpins economic development and prosperity. Sheffield Chemistry is great. Shame on the universities leadership |
| Prof LinGe WANG | South China University of Technology | I have studied and worked in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield on two occasions. The first was in December 2004, when I joined as a visiting scholar for one year, working with Professor Tony Ryan OBE and Professor Steven P. Armes FRS. The second was from March 2008, when I returned as a postdoctoral researcher, continuing my collaboration with both professors. I left the Department in late August 2012 and returned to China to take up a professorship at South China University of Technology (SCUT), where I am now Associate Dean of the School of Emerging Soft Matter and a Principal Investigator. My time at Sheffield gave me invaluable training in polymer science and small‑angle X‑ray scattering (SAXS) techniques – for which I am particularly grateful to Dr. Oleksandr (Sasha) Mykhaylyk. Today, my School at SCUT recruits approximately 500 undergraduate and postgraduate students each year, primarily in chemistry and materials science. The quality of teaching and research in chemistry is a direct determinant of the University of Sheffield’s global ranking. We look forward to the prospect of deeper collaboration with the Sheffield Chemistry Department, including joint student training programmes. Chemistry is a central discipline that underpins biology, physics, materials science and engineering. Reducing academic posts in chemistry would not only damage the University’s international reputation and its capacity to train future scientists, but also erode the trust and willingness to collaborate among the global scientific community. I strongly urge the University’s leadership to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies and to secure a sustainable, forward‑looking future for Chemistry at Sheffield. |
| Professor Tony McNally CChem FRSC FIMMM | University of Warwick | |
| Dr Jenna Spencer-Briggs | Radleys | I spent 9.5 years in the Department of Chemistry at the Uni of Sheffield, during my MChem and PhD years. It is a fantastic department, full of staff that genuinely care about both teaching and research. These proposed cuts are ludicrous. I can't imagine Sheffield without Chemistry. |
| Dr Alex Jones FRSC | National Physical Laboratory and Honorary Professor, UCL | |
| Dr Júlia Comas-Barceló | Syngenta | My PhD from Chemistry at the UoS was instrumental to enable professional opportunities that led to my position today. I hope many others in future are lucky enough to benefit from studying here. |
| Dr Timothy K Dickens CChem FRSC | Peterhouse Cambridge | Chemistry is the central science that so much other science, technology, industry and medicine depend on. It is vital to the UKs national economy. Sadly there has been a contraction in Chemistry in British universities that has been going on since the 1990’s. For a Chemistry Department to remain viable as a centre for both teaching and research it needs to be of a certain size because to have critical mass given the diverse nature of the subject. Sheffield is one of the premier departments in the UK. In the ‘60s it was generally recognised as being the best department in the country. My own PhD supervisor took both his BSc and PhD at Sheffield. Please would the central administration of Sheffield rethink their priorities and not contract further the department that has already seen a significant diminution in size. |
| Professor Mike Turner | University of Manchester | Having worked in the Department of Chemistry of the University of Sheffield for over 10 years, it is incredibly worrying to see what has already happened to the staff and infrastructure of the Department and the further changes proposed by the University. Sheffield is home to world class chemistry research and chemical education, the proposed staff reductions will endanger both and the consequences with extend well beyond the Department. I hope that the University management will reconsider. |
| Professor Majed CHERGUI, Fellow of the RSC, EPS, APS, Optica, ACA, EurASc, TWAS | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, Italy | University of Sheffield Chemistry is at the top of the field. The department has already suffered from previous cuts, further ones would damage its competitivity in an irreversible way. |
| Prof Jeffrey J. Rack, Fellow of the ACS | University of New Mexico | |
| Dr Chido Mpamhanga | Insmed, IUPHAR and Nanome | I'm a former PhD student from Sheffield who worked at the interface of Chemistry and Informatics through an industrial PhD collaboration with GSK. I wanted to highlight just how much impact that experience has had on both my personal life and my career in drug discovery. During my PhD, I studied how small molecules bind to their biological targets and how these interactions can be encoded in ways that enable AI and machine learning methods to identify promising compounds from vast virtual chemical spaces. This work contributed to new approaches for predicting and prioritising molecules for drug discovery. After completing my PhD, I joined the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) in Dundee. Building on the knowledge and methods developed during my doctoral research, we discovered compounds for the treatment of trypanosomiasis and related parasitic diseases. Remarkably, within my second year as a postdoctoral researcher, this work contributed to discoveries that ultimately led to a publication in Nature and, later, to the development of the small-molecule drug Zelenirstat, which is now making a difference for cancer patients. Since then, I have been fortunate to work across a wide range of organisations and disciplines. I have contributed to international pharmacology databases, worked at LifeArc helping to advance therapies for areas with significant unmet medical need, and collaborated with both virtual reality and AI companies. Today, I lead a small Computational Chemistry and AI team at Insmed, focused on discovering new treatments for rare diseases. None of this would have been possible without the inspiration, support, and guidance of my supervisors—Prof B. Chen, Prof Peter Willett, and Prof Barry Pickup. Their mentorship shaped not only my scientific career but also gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities I never imagined possible. As someone who came from an undergrad in Cape Town and spent summer breaks working at Burger King, I could never have imagined the journey that lay ahead. The opportunities provided through Sheffield, its collaborations, and its people have had a profound impact on my life. I am also excited that the collaborations and connections established during my time at Sheffield continue to create new opportunities and scientific impact today. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to return as a visiting lecturer on the Drug Discovery Science MSc programme, helping to communicate how chemistry is transforming drug discovery in the era of AI, virtual reality, and high-performance computing. |
| Dr Allan Dishington | AstraZeneca | |
| Dr Barry Hayter | AstraZeneca | |
| Professor Philip Woodman | University of Manchester | Does Sheffield wish to retain its status as a serious university?! I'm quite sure that Manchester University will relish (£££) the prospect of Sheffield downgrading its chemistry department and removing itself as an realistic academic competitor institute. I look with dismay at the series of catastrophic management decisions being taken at the University of Sheffield that are impacting the career progression and wellbeing of my colleagues in Sheffield. How did it come to this? |
| Sarah Davidson | Croda International Plc | Croda notes with concern the proposed restructuring within the University of Sheffield’s chemistry department. While we recognise the pressures facing UK higher education, chemistry is fundamental to innovation in sustainable materials, biotechnology, life sciences and clean energy. The University of Sheffield has a long-standing global reputation in chemical sciences, with a distinguished history of research excellence and talent development. As an industry partner, Croda benefits directly from the strong pipeline of skilled graduates and collaborative research the department provides. Croda believes maintaining a strong chemistry base is critical to UK industrial strategy and the transition to a sustainable, bio‑based economy, and calls for the University of Sheffield to protect this capability. |
| Dr Gordon Currie | AstraZeneca UK | |
| Professor Puck Knipscheer | Hubrecht Insitute, Utrecht | My name is Puck Knipscheer, and I am a Senior Group Leader at the Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht and Professor of genome maintenance at Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC). I strongly oppose intended size reduction to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. As a collaborator who has worked closely with Dr. David Williams form the department on multiple research projects, I have seen firsthand how essential their expertise is to modern biomedical science. Chemistry and molecular biology are deeply interconnected disciplines, and many advances in biochemistry depend on the knowledge, methods, and innovations developed by chemists. Their understanding of molecular structure and the synthesis of novel compounds is indispensable for investigating biological processes and developing new experimental tools. In several of our projects, the contribution of the William’s lab has been of vital importance, providing reagents, and technical expertise that would not have been available otherwise. Weakening the Chemistry Department would not only harm chemical research itself but would also undermine the interdisciplinary collaborations that drive scientific discovery and innovation. |
| Prof. Simon Webb | University of Manchester | I am quite shocked by the proposals and I urge the University of Sheffield to reconsider. During my period working in the Chemistry Department at Sheffield, it was a vibrant, busy and world-leading department. Its staff were a key part of this environment, using collegiality and collaboration to produce outstanding science. I hope that the University of Sheffield changes course and instead chooses to invest in Chemistry. |
| Prof Frank De Proft | Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) | |
| Jonas Peters, Bren Professor of Chemistry | Caltech | |
| Dr Daniel Wesley | Akzonobel | |
| Prof Osamu Ishitani | Hiroshima University | I hope that the serious situation facing science, not only in the UK but also worldwide, will improve as soon as possible. |
| Dr Peter Iddon | Smith & Nephew PLC | |
| Dr Robert Shaw | RevoNA Bio | My time as an undergrad, postgrad, and postdoc in the theoretical chemistry section at Sheffield was enormously valuable. This is an essential science education provision from an esteemed department in an under-served part of the country. To decimate it like this would be a huge detriment to UK science and science education, not to mention devastating to the fantastic staff there. |
| Dr Phil Taylor | Syngenta | The Chemistry department at Sheffield is a particularly strong one which has produced world class research. Such research is key in ensuring the future of the UK's industrial base and it would be disastrous for the country if the department were to be closed or severely restricted in size. I urge the University to rethink their strategy and ensure the long term future of the department. |
| Prof Stanley Botchway FRMS FRSC | UKRI-STFC | |
| Dr Catherine Piper | Syngenta | Not only was Sheffield a brilliant teaching university for me as a chemist starting their career, but as Formulation Technology group lead in Syngenta now, Sheffield University chemistry department is an excellent collaborator with high class academics and students. This would be a massive loss to UK industry. |
| Prof. Gary M. Hieftje, FRSC. | Indiana University, Bloomington | |
| Prof. Dave Herbert, FRSC | University of Manitoba | Having collaborated directly with Sheffield research faculty & students, I can attest to the excellence on-going at the University. I also know first hand how a solid education in Chemistry can form the bedrock for emerging students in careers beyond the natural sciences. I would urge the University to reconsider this position, and see investment in Chemistry as proper and needed investment in the Sheffield community and broader region as a whole. |
| Dr Jennifer Hughes | Lawrence Industries | I studied a masters and PhD in Chemistry at the University of Sheffield and it has been of paramount importance to my career and personal growth |
| Prof Nigel S. Clarke FRSC | Cambridge University | |
| Mark Warren | Diamond Light Source | I have been fortunate to collaborate with many members of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield and have seen first-hand the excellent science being carried out there. The department has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality research and for training scientists who go on to make important contributions across academia and industry. It would be a great loss, not only to the University but to UK science more broadly, if this expertise and capability were diminished. The department plays an important role in developing the next generation of chemists and researchers, and I strongly believe it should be supported so it can continue to thrive. |
| Prof. Frantisek Hartl | University of Reading | When this madness will stop? Sheffield Chemistry has always been highly respected. Reduce the exorbitant admin costs and save the avademic knowledge. |
| Emeritus Professor Colin BIngle | The University of Sheffield | It's not like the Department has not punched above its weight. Five of the six Nobel Prizes awarded to Sheffield academics have come from Chemistry. Does the Krebs cycle mean anything to you? |
| Prof Helen Fielding | UCL | |
| Alison Brown | Central Bedfordshire Council | |
| Prof. Scott L. Cockroft | University of Edinburgh (University of Sheffield PhD) | The proposed job cuts, on top of those already made, will squeeze out what little time remains for research and choke the Department of Chemistry towards closure. This would be a devastating mistake. Sheffield is a world-recognised department that played a pivotal role in shaping the science of Chemistry Nobel Prize winners Sir Harry Kroto and Sir Fraser Stoddart. To allow a discipline of such distinction and international standing to be throttled in this way is profoundly short-sighted. It risks reducing the University of Sheffield from a place known for world-leading science to one remembered only for what it once was. |
| David Skuse | FiberLean Technologies Limited | The UK economy needs growth and UK jobs. Growth will be technically driven and needs UK based, technically trained graduates to fuel the growth. It's madness to de-fund a highly respected institution that produces a flow of top quality graduates for our economy. |
| Peter Phillips | Reckitt | |
| Dr Alisyn Nedoma | University of Sheffield | Pioneering chemistry research is vital to the university ecosystem. |
| Anthony Baker | Syngenta | |
| Thomas Collett | Syngenta | |
| Erin McNulty | Syngenta | |
| Mark Brittin | Syngenta | Having witnessed the damaging effects of science departments closing at my own university, I would strongly urge you to withdraw this proposal. In the UK, we need to maintain high quality science education and research, and this is not the way to do it. |
| Annette Christie | Syngenta | Signing in a personal capacity: Sheffield has world-class materials capability and produces highly skilled materials scientists. Its expertise is vital to innovation and should be protected. |
| Ben Bouckley | Syngenta | I have already been impacted by cuts to the department during my time at Sheffield University. Not being able to take chemistry modules within my chemical engineering degree meant I could not explore parts of STEM that really made me curious and reduced my enthusiasm. I can only imagine the impact on someone who hoped to study the areas being cut directly. |
| Katie foster | Syngenta | |
| Dr Sarah Duxbury | Syngenta | STEM subjects are ever more critical in our fast moving world where earths resources are being utilised at an alarming rate. Reducing funding in Chemistry at a Russell group university is unbelievably short sighted, not only in terms of the university being able to contribute to essential research in critical areas of chemistry, but also in lowering the overall value proposition of the University in the global arena. Having sat through introduction talks with my children at university open days, I can see Chemistry, along with other STEM subjects, is a key factor in the university's success. Yes science subjects are expensive, but they also add significant value back to the economy. |
| Rachel Cooke | Syngenta | |
| Prof Matthew I. Gibson | University of Manchester | |
| Prof Shiyong Liu | University of Science and Technology of China | I have visited the University of Sheffield twice, after my former postdoctoral supervisor, Professor Steven P. Armes FRS, moved there from Sussex in 2005. I just learned that Nobel laureate Sir Harry Kroto, formerly a member of the Sussex faculty, received both his Bachelor’s and PhD degrees from Sheffield. This makes Sheffield’s contribution to chemistry all the more significant. Chemistry is a central discipline that underpins and supports many other fields, including biology, physics, materials science, and engineering. It is fundamental not only to scientific discovery, but also to the development of core technologies and national innovation capacity. In China, chemistry departments are consistently expanding and recruiting faculty because chemistry is widely recognized as indispensable to both basic research and technological progress. Reducing academic positions in chemistry would weaken a discipline that is foundational to both interdisciplinary research and future innovation. |
| Prof Paul van der Schoot | Eindhoven University of Technology | A university without a chemistry department is in my view not a proper university. Chemistry is and remains a hugely important field of study, not only academically but also for industry and society as a whole: think of food, materials, pharmaceuticals, energy and so on. |
| Emeritus Prof David Rice | University of Sheffield | The critical role of Chemistry at the interface between the different disciplines of Molecular Sciences cannot be overlooked and its loss would have a profound and devastating long term impact on the international position of the University. |
| Professor Emeritus Jim Anderson | University College London | Chemistry at Sheffield has an incredible legacy that should not be underestimated nor discarded. Chemistry is a central science and any serious University will have a dedicated department. If Sheffield goes down the road of removing theirs they are instantly downgrading the University as a whole to the 2nd tier or lower and instantly trashing their reputation as a research led University which took years in the making. It will then be a race to the bottom. |
| Professor Mark Moloney | University of Oxford | Chemistry remains a central science in modern technological development; culling what has been a highly successful Department over many decades is short sighted, and will directly impact on the ability of the University of Sheffield to remain at the forefront of scientific research across a broad spectrum of activity. |
| Prof Paul Walton (member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences) | University of York | If these myopic cuts go through, the damage to the University of Sheffield's and, moreover, the UK's reputations as global science leaders will take a generation to recover. |
| Dr Derek Wann, Head of Department of Chemistry | University of York | This is a very worrying state of affairs in a Department that has such a distinguished history and current expertise across a broad swathe of Chemistry and Materials Science. As a Head of Department in another Yorkshire university, we do appear to be seeing more than our fair share of threats to the viability of Chemistry across a number of Institutions regionally. This flies in the face of the very clear and demonstrable need for molecular scientists to underpin the UK industrial strategy across a wide range of sectors from nuclear to medicine and from energy to materials. |
| Dr Isuru Muthukudaarachchi | White Lotus Energies | As a chemist who trained at Sheffield and now runs an early-stage deep-tech company, I want to add a voice from outside academia to this letter. White Lotus Energies is developing photocatalysts to convert captured CO₂ into cleaner fuels. We are a young company, but we exist in part because of the scientific training I received at the University of Sheffield. I suspect we are one of many companies, founders, and researchers who could say the same. I run a business, so I understand the financial pressures the University faces. But the value a Chemistry department creates spills far beyond the fees and grants it currently brings in. It seeds companies, partnerships, and ideas whose worth never appears on the University's own balance sheet. Ours is one small example. Sheffield's department has also produced fundamental research, generations of outstanding chemists, and Nobel-winning science. That kind of value to the country and the globe cannot be reduced to a cost line. Chemistry underpins medicine, materials, energy, and much of what a modern economy depends on. Many important industrial partnerships begin in departments like this one. If savings must be found, I would respectfully urge the University's leadership to look elsewhere, and to continue investing in one of its genuine long-term strengths. |
| Professor Andrew Lewis FREng, FRSC, FIMMM | Calla Lily Clinical Care | I’ve collaborated with researchers in Chemistry at Sheffield for over a decade because of their world class reputation and excellence. Chemistry drives cutting-edge interdisciplinary research which is critical to solve global challenges in medicine, energy, climate and more, whist ensuring a scientifically literate society by equipping students with highly versatile and employable STEM skills. This proposal is short-sighted and damaging to the UK’s future prosperity in this core discipline. |
| Professor Ashleigh Fletcher, FRSC | University of Strathclyde | I work closely with colleagues in Sheffield Chemistry and have seen the strength and reach of their research. As a graduate of the discipline, I cannot support cuts that erode core chemical sciences capacity in the UK. These losses jeopardise a vital national discipline and the collaborative networks that underpin our shared scientific excellence. |
| Brent Sumerlin FRSC | University of Florida | Weakening Chemistry would squander Sheffield’s global strength and undermine the University’s mission in education, research, innovation, and service to society. Reverse this proposal. |
| Dr Zoe Smallwood | Oxford University | As a Sheffield alumna, I have fond memories of my time in the Chemistry department, a department which shaped my future career. I am disappointed that the excellent work that Sheffield is known for, on both a national and an international stage, might be at risk; especially at a time when Chemistry in the UK is simultaneously both of significant importance and yet under pressure. |
| Geoff Margison | University of Manchester ex Paterson institute for Cancer Research | Any of the AI platforms will tell you how critically important university chemistry departments are and for a plethora of reasons. I am one of very many who have benefitted immensely from the activities of the Sheffield University Chemistry Department; in my case those of David Williams and his post docs and his students. We have been collaborating over more than 2 decades, published 15 papers, including Nature and Mol Cell; the latest last year. This output, and the ideas associated with it, have been a critical factors in me obtaining programme grants from CR-UK and a joint project grant also from CR-UK. Our joint research has also involved collaborators from Ireland, Germany, Japan, USA, greatly enhancing the international reputation of our universities. In my own department at the Paterson institute, numerous undergraduate, Ph.D. students and post docs have benefitted from the materials that David has sent us. And like ripples on a pond the word spreads. Reducing the size of the department will obviously severely restrict such interactions for the next generation of scientists who need the magic of chemistry to fulfill their dreams and aspirations. So, please dont. |
| Prof. Jonathan Potts | University of Sheffield | As the person responsible for allocating teaching jobs in chemistry, I am very worried about how such a reduced staff cohort will be able to take on all the roles required to keep the chemistry degrees viable. They seem to be at capacity already |
| Prof. Per Bullough | University of Sheffield | There is a danger of short sighted pennywise-pound foolish decisions being made in haste so that the spreadsheets look tidier. Any serious university of international standing should have thriving chemistry teaching and research- this proposed 'restructuring' could put what remains in Sheffield in great peril. Chemistry must be a core component of any vision for Science at Sheffield- all our other science disciplines are dependent on it. |
| Dr Louis Morrill | University of Bath | I have visited the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield on many occasions, including Departmental Seminars and serving as an external examiner for PhD vivas. I have always been so impressed with the history and prestige that the Department holds. The staff within the Department of Chemistry are excellent and care deeply about their students and delivering top quality education and research. It's a top department and must be protected. |
| Ashe Hodgson | Keva Fragrances UK Ltd | As a chemistry alum from the University of Sheffield, I know first hand how amazing the chemistry department is. It's also an incredibly important discipline, and it saddens me greatly to see potential of the department, current and future students, and current and future work of the academics be clipped. I believe central university management should be fighting harder to protect the quality of their institution's education and showing the appreciation to their staff, without whom they would have no business whatsoever. Now is the time to be standing firm on the fact higher education is valuable, and access to high quality education across all subjects is essential for our society, rather than buying into trends which undermine the value of degrees and will leave the country with massively decreased capacity for teaching, shrinking one of the sectors the UK is leading in. |
| Dr Stephen Argent | University of Nottingham | I earned my PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Sheffield, and I am deeply saddened and dismayed to hear that this fantastic department is now threatened with devastating cuts to staff numbers. Sheffield Chemistry is a strong department, with excellent staff, students, facilities and a proud record of teaching and research. Chemistry departments depend on deep, accumulated expertise across academic, technical, teaching and professional teams. Once that expertise is lost, it is extremely difficult — and perhaps impossible — to rebuild. I urge the University to reconsider these proposals and work with staff to find a better way forward. |
| Paul Henry | ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source (UK national facility), Visiting professor Uppsala University (Sweden) | Chemistry is a fundamental science, necessary to discover and understand materials for current and future applications. My university degree and doctorate are in chemistry, leading to research on structure and property relationships in energy materials, including collaborations with current faculty staff at Sheffield, relevant to energy storage and a net zero future. Reducing staff is short-sighted, limiting the possibilities for future generations through reduced undergraduate numbers and doctoral research support that drive new discoveries. The UK must remain at the forefront of fundamental and application-driven scientific research and i urge the university leadership to reconsider the impact of their decision. |
| Prof. Michael Wolf | University of British Columbia | Sheffield Chemistry has a long and distinguished history, which continues today. Chemistry is essential to providing solutions to the most serious global problems, and a vibrant chemistry department is absolutely necessary for any university to thrive. The proposed cuts would critically wound this outstanding department, I strongly support this letter and urge the administration to reconsider this proposal. |
| Prof Edwin Constable | University of Basel | This is one of the leading science universities in the UK |
| Emma Wall | The University of Manchester | I would not be where I am today without having completed my undergraduate degree in Chemical Physics at The University of Sheffield |
| Jill Davies | N/A | My daughter studied Chemical Physics at the University of Sheffield. The course was niche but has enabled her to progress in her chosen field and she is about to complete her PhD. Without such courses there would be no one able to do the research she is involved in. Please reconsider your decision and enable other students, and the whole of academic research to progress and make Sheffield a department to be envied in the future. |
| Prof David Leys | University of Manchester | Challenges of the modern world will need chemistry to rise to the challenge to meet them, from renewable commodity chemicals to new medicines. A university should meet its responsibility to educate the next generation of chemists and contribute word-leading research. |
| Prof Richard Unwin | The University of Manchester | As a working-class boy from just up the road in Barnsley, the Sheffield University Chemistry department provided me with some of my first inspiration and exposure to cutting edge science and research via schools outreach. Since then, this historic department has continued to be at the forefront of UK Chemistry research, a field which is critical for the UK and the world to meet todays technological challenges across areas from biomedicine, environmental science, materials and physics. The downsizing of such a fundamental and fertile area is a retrograde step, both for the UK science as a whole but also, in my view, for the University of Sheffield. I would urge senior leadership to reconsider this step and seek savings elsewhere if necessary as further closure would without doubt be damaging to Sheffield's and the UKs reputation as a serious scientific research power. |
| Professor (emeritus) Antonin Vlcek, FRSC | Queen Mary University of London | Sufficiently staffed and well functioning Chemistry Department is essential for the future of the University of Sheffield and for maintaining its international research standing. |
| Emeritus Professor John R Helliwell DSc FInstP FRSC F Inst Biol | University of Manchester | I am shocked that a prestigious and so well regarded institution like the University of Sheffield would even consider such cuts to its equally prestigious and well regarded Chemistry Department. |
| Prof. Milan Delor | Columbia University | Sheffield Chemistry has a long and distinguished history, and is highly regarded as a top department worldwide despite having already dealt with major unnecessary cuts. I received my graduate training there (2010 - 2014) and wouldn't be where I am now without the incredible mentorship and research that the department offered. This action would cause irreversible damage to the reputation of the University, and to UK science as a whole. The long-term payback of the scientific discoveries in the life and physical sciences, as well as the highly-trained pipeline for the STEM workforce that this department offers far outweigh the costs. |
| Dr Colin White CChem, FRSC | University of Sheffield | There is a saying that you have to invest to secure the future. Unfortunately, the "penny counters" who run the university take the short term view and there is no doubt that the proposed cuts will lead to the closure of a chemistry department that has produced five nobel laureates. I might add that the reduction in student numbers can be traced back to student recruitment being taken away from the Chemistry Department. |
| Dr Tony Johnson | City Learning Trust | My life as a student, graduate and PDRA at Sheffield in the Chemistry department have been the best years of my life. Central to this were the people; without the technical and admin staff and many inspirational academics I and others would not be where we are today. I have seen many posts over the years celebrating Sheffield as a global top 100 university, one I hope my children attend. These proposals contradic this claim. Don't downsize a department with such history; celebrate, invest and grow once more. |
| Dr Freya Cleasby | Ministry for the Environment (NZ) | Without my undergraduate and PhD studies at the department of Chemistry in Sheffield I wouldn't be where I am today. The research and students that the department produces are world class, and funding cuts will only diminish the impact the department has on academia and wider sectors. |
| Prof. Duncan L. Browne | University College London | I spent eight formative years in Sheffield Chemistry, from 2002 to 2010, as an undergraduate, PhD student and EPSRC Doctoral Prize Fellow. It was an outstanding place to learn and develop as a chemist, but also as a person. The course, staff and wider departmental environment nurtured my skills, confidence and ambitions in ways that have shaped the rest of my career. Since leaving Sheffield, I have met many excellent chemists across academia and industry who are part of that same Sheffield network, which speaks to the department’s long-standing national and international impact. I returned last year to give an academic talk, and it was clear to me that, despite serious pressure from central university structures, excellent staff are still turning up every day to teach students, support researchers and deliver high-quality science. That commitment should be recognised and supported, not weakened further. Chemistry is a foundational discipline for any serious research-intensive university. Sheffield Chemistry has a proud history, a strong community, and a continuing role in training the next generation of scientists. I urge the University to think again and work with staff, students, alumni and the wider chemistry community to find a more creative and sustainable solution than compulsory redundancies and managed decline. A university with Sheffield’s history and ambitions should be building around Chemistry, not hollowing it out. |
| Dr Thomas Swift | University of Bradford | I was a PhD student, and postdoctoral researcher at Sheffield Chemistry Department. This institution has a strong history of exceptional teaching and research with an international reputation, the compulsary reduction in staff represents a grave loss to the UK sector and damages our international standing |
| Matt | University of Sheffield | As an alumni/graduate, all of the lecturers deserved their place. Each with unique personality, quirks, talent and all with a great attitude. Do not cut them! I'm sure the university has enough money! |
| Prof Vivian Yam, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences | University of Hong Kong | Chemistry is a central science that is indispensable. It is ubiquitous and is fundamental to all areas of science and technology -- "Chemistry for Humanity" |
| Dr Yi jin | University of Manchester | Without my experience in Chris Hunter FRS's lab in Sheffield Chemistry, I wouldn't have moved into Chemical biology. There is great synergy between Chemistry and MBB. |
| Dr Guanqi Qiu (ERC research group leader) | Max-Planck Institute | In the era of big data, we need more investment in reasoning-rich inputs for pure chemistry research and training, not less. Defunding chemistry would be like drinking poison to quench thirst: even if appear to offer short-term relief, it would deepen the long-term crisis. Building a strong history and culture of excellence in Chemistry is extremely difficult, and preserving it in the University of Sheffield is worth every effort. Such a legacy should not be voluntarily relinquished. |
| Dr Christopher Lee Millington | MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine | I did my Undergraduate and PhD in the Chemistry Department. The teaching was excellent and it was great place to work. It would be a shame to see it reduced in size and output. |
| Dr. Ricardo J. Fernández-Terán | University of Geneva | My little grain of sand! |
| Dr. Theodore Lazarides | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki | I earned my PhD in inorganic chemistry from the University of Sheffield, and I am saddened to hear the news about the proposed job cuts. The Department of Chemistry at Sheffield has built a strong international reputation for excellence in teaching and pioneering research over many decades. At a time when the world urgently needs expertise in critical areas such as clean energy, sustainable materials, and the life sciences - fields in which chemistry plays a central role - shrinking a successful chemistry department is certainly not the right move. I urge the University to work with staff, students, alumni, and the wider community to find a better way forward. |
| Dr Joseph Walker | Heriot Watt University | My undergraduate studies at Sheffield strongly prepared me for my future studies. I had an amazing time at the university and in the chemistry department especially. Chemistry is a central science and cutting funding is unacceptable, there will never be a time where chemistry is not crucial for the advancement of humanity. |
| Dr Sam Ashworth | University of Sheffield | The skills and experience I gained during my time studying Chemistry at the University of Sheffield have been vital to my career. A thriving chemical research ecosystem is vital to the UK's national interest, and both the university and the country will be poorer for these cuts. |
| Professor Mark Wilson | Durham Univerity | Sheffield Chemistry was where I did my UG and PhD studies. It was a great place to start my academic career. Chemistry is, by its nature, more expensive than many other university subjects. Of course it is. But Chemistry is vital for the country and the region, and without a central science such as Chemistry at Sheffield, the rest of the sciences at the university will slowly wither. The university management must be willing to play their part in supporting both the UK economy and the Yorkshire region; otherwise, we seriously need to ask: what are universities for? Decisions made now will have major implications for the Yorkshire region over the coming decades. |
| Professor Andre Cobb | King’s College London | |
| Dr Niall Ward-O'Brien | N/A | I was an undergrad and post-grad student in this department. These proposed cuts will be devastating. |
| Archie Harris | RSC | |
| Dr Davide Tiana | University College Cork | Chemistry Is a fundamental Science and a must for any Institute that want to be defined as University |
| Dr Laurence Middlemiss | The University of Manchester | I thoroughly enjoyed the four years I spent in the Chemistry Department at The University of Sheffield. My degree set me up for my future research career. I want other people to have that same opportunity. |
| Prof. Trevor Smith | University of Melbourne | Chemistry is an essential science, and following previous reductions, any additional staff cuts such as those proposed to Chemistry will be highly detrimental to the prestige of The University of Sheffield and its ability to function as a comprehensive Institution. |
| Lynda Partridge | university of Sheffield | Chemistry in Sheffield should be saved - ridiculous to think of the University without it. |
| Prof Paul Lickiss | Imperial College | Cutting staff and degrading the teaching of Chemistry at Shefffied will be damaging to both the University and the wider chemistry community. |
| Prof James D Wilton-Ely | Imperial College London | I was shocked to hear of the six redundancies at Sheffield Chemistry, which follows the loss of 7 FTE posts over the last two years alone. This will be hugely damaging to a widely-respected Chemistry department and will make it even harder to deliver teaching and maintain the research profile. It will also send a negative message to potential students, leading to a loss of income. We saw what happened the last time there was an attack on Chemistry departments across the country in 2003, leading to the decision being reversed in many cases, but only after the damage had been done. I urge the management at Sheffield need to reconsider. |
| Dr Michael O'Neill | University of Liverpool | The University has invested in building a brilliant community of educators through decades of careful hiring decisions and support for its staff as they develop their teaching. Sheffield's reputation for teaching Chemistry has become superb because of this, but the proposed cuts will materially damage the quality of its teaching. I urge senior leaders to reconsider this course of rapid, drastic action. |
| Dr Clare Jelinska | National University of Singapore | |
| Prof. Eric Vauthey | University of Geneva | Don't destroy something that has proven to work extremely well and that would take ages to rebuild. |
| Professor Simon Pope | Cardiff University | Chemistry as a discipline of education and research, is a pillar of academic furtherment and a key driver of the global economy. The UK needs capacity and competitive strength in chemistry which is geographically distributed and not concentrated in a few select institutions. Sheffield has unique strengths and a rich and diverse history of achievement in chemistry teaching and research. The University management must work with staff and develop an alternative plan or risk irreversible reputational damage and loss of expertise in a critical subject area. |
| Professor Julian Tyson | University of Massachusetts Amherst | Disinvestment in chemistry for short term financial exigencies is a mistake. Chemistry is the central science, essential for the STEM mission of any institution. |
| Dr Neil Peirson | The Sheffield College | Many of our students live in Sheffield and want to remain here. The University of Sheffield provides an inspirational target for chemistry. Diminishing the department harms the prospect of many talented but disadvantaged students. |
| Dr Luke Wilkinson | Edge Hill University | I did my PhD at Sheffield and learned more in that post than I have in any other part of my academic career. Sheffield made me who I am. The future of chemistry in the UK must be protected and this can only be achieved by protecting those with the expertise and infrastructure to train the next generation. Sheffield chemistry excels at this |
| Mr Stephen Reid FRSC | University of Leeds | |
| Professor Robert Poole FRSB FRSC | University of Sheffield | Chemistry is a core subject lying at the interface of biology, material sciences and health. It must be treated better than this. The proposal to further reduce staff numbers is deplorable and unworthy of a Russell Group University that seeks international recognition and competitiveness. The Biological Sciences at Sheffield have already been subjected to draconian reorganisation and loss of course integrity and choice. The University should reconsider this proposal and save Chemistry. |
| Dr Richard Jones MRSC CChem | Retired Radiation Chemist ex University of Leeds | This so sad. It could ultimately lead on to the closure of Chemistry at Sheffield, which in the long run will cost you much more to rebuild, a result of false temporary economic reasoning. Many famous Chemist have contributed to Chemistry at Sheffield, Lord Dainton particularly springs to mind. What a legacy, how dare you forget it. |
| Prof David Dunmur | Sheffield University (Emeritus and ex-HoD)) | This is not only the desecration of a Chemistry Department of international renown, it is the destruction of a significant part of the history of chemistry |
| Dr Richard Luke | AstraZeneca (Retired) | During my time with AstraZeneca we had many collaborations with members of the Chemistry Department at Sheffield University. These interactions were highly valued. |
| Dr Mark Wood | University of Exeter | As so many others have said, Chemistry is the central science that links the others together. As one of my former colleagues so eloquently put it 20 years ago, "if you demolish the central house from a terrace, the others around it collapse too." |
| George Mackeown | Environment Agency | |
| Dr Fiona Sorrell | Merck Healthcare kgaa | Save the chemistry department! I graduated from here and it enabled me to get a job in the pharmaceutical industry developing new medicines to save lives. |
| Dr Bo Hou | Cardiff University | Cutting academic staff—especially senior and internationally renowned professors—is a deeply damaging way to address financial difficulties. It is a classic case of 饮鸩止渴 (“drinking poison to quench one’s thirst”): a short-term solution that creates far greater long-term harm. If the UK wishes to maintain its global leadership in science, engineering and technology, it must ensure that academics are able to work in a supportive, stable environment with manageable levels of stress. A thriving research ecosystem depends on talented people. If universities continue to lose outstanding researchers because of financial pressures and uncertainty, more of the UK’s best academics will leave for opportunities elsewhere, and attracting the next generation of world-class talent will become increasingly difficult. The chemistry department at the University of Sheffield has long been recognised as one of the strongest in the UK. Further reducing its size and losing experienced academic staff would risk undermining decades of investment, expertise and international reputation. Academic excellence cannot simply be switched on and off; it takes many years, often decades, to build outstanding departments, research cultures and global collaborations. Once that foundation and momentum are lost, they are extraordinarily difficult to rebuild. We only need to look at other sectors for evidence. Rebuilding the UK’s manufacturing capability has proved to be a long and difficult process. Similarly, the enormous investment now being made to restore semiconductor manufacturing and supply chains in the United States demonstrates how difficult it is to recover industrial capacity once it has been allowed to decline. The same is true for strategic scientific capabilities, including space science and launch technology. These are ecosystems built over generations, not projects that can be recreated overnight. The UK was once a world-leading scientific and industrial nation because it invested consistently in people, knowledge and innovation. Once those capabilities are lost, even substantial future investment may not be enough to restore them. Infrastructure can be rebuilt, but scientific culture, institutional memory, international reputation and the confidence of talented researchers take far longer to recover. If we lose those, we risk losing not only our competitive advantage but also the spirit and ambition that made the UK a global leader in the first place. |
| Olufunso Olumide Abosede | Federal University Otuoke | Please Save Sheffield Chemistry |
| Karen Young | Shropshire Council | Sheffield has a worldwide reputation for Chemistry which will be massively eroded if these cuts are pushed through. My son chose to study there due to the department's strong history and proactive relationships with industry. He is now undertaking a PhD within the department for Astrazeneca. PLEASE do not take short-sighted decisions for short-term financial gains which will in the long run massively adversely affect the university's reputation. |
| Professor Abbie Trewin | Lancaster University | |
| Dr Derek Lindsay, COO | Infex Therapeutics Limited | Chemistry is vital to the lifescience industry in the UK |
| Prof. Linda Shimizu | University of South Carolina | Sheffield University would be diminished without Chemistry. The discipline is a cornerstone for discovery and a tool for many other sciences. |
| Dr Andy Ward | UKRI-STFC | Lets hope that common sense prevails |
| Dr Mark Sullivan | Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology | Chemistry and the department at Sheffield are fundamental to the advancement if technology in the UK. Valuable skills will be lost, if this desecration of science in the UK continues. |
| Helena Mora Radó | Sanofi | |
| Dr Ruth Pegington | Industry (Sheffield PhD) | The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield has long been a centre of excellence in scientific training and research. During my PhD within the department, I saw firsthand the commitment, expertise, and care that its academics bring to their work. These proposed cuts would not only diminish the University’s scientific capability, but would have profound consequences for the individuals whose careers, wellbeing, and livelihoods depend on the stability of the department. The academics affected are dedicated professionals who support students, early‑career researchers, technical staff, and collaborators across disciplines. Their work underpins teaching, research, mentorship, and the development of future scientists. Reducing the department’s capacity risks disrupting lives, weakening support networks, and eroding the environment that enables students and researchers to thrive. Sheffield Chemistry contributes significantly to the University’s overall reputation and to the wider scientific community. Protecting this department is not only an academic decision but a responsibility to the people who sustain it and to those whose futures depend on its strength. I urge the University to reconsider these cuts and safeguard a department that has shaped so many careers, including my own. |
| Dr Mark Davies | Fundación IMDEA Nanociencia | When I see news like this I am embarassed to call myself a Uni of Sheffield alumni. Spent 7 years at the department of chemistry and it proved the most influential period both personally and professionally. |
| Dr Simon Emmett | Retired (Formerly AkzoNobel) | |
| Dr Fiorenzo Zordan | Mérieux Nutrisciences | |
| Professor Julia A. Weinstein FRSC | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Wesley Browne | University of Groningen | Chemistry is a wide field and the basis for many other areas of science. It is difficult to identify a university as STEM relevant without a properly staffed chemistry team. |
| R. J. Dwayne Miller | University of Toronto | fully support ...decades of work to build a top Chemistry Department, 1 year to lose it all...don't throw away the foundation of a great department |
| Ian McDaid | Horizon Community College | The chemistry department at Sheffield University cannot be just looked at a teaching and research institution. Its reach is so much further afield and has been an inspiration to many students I have taught during my career. Many of my students have gone on to study chemistry following engagement with the department. Four Nobel Prize winners is a legacy that must be developed further, not undermined by bureaucracy. These decisions are being made by people who do not understand the importance and role of this department. |
| Dr Daniel Whitaker | Arda Biomaterials (MSci from Sheffield) | My Integrated Master's in Chemistry at The University of Sheffield was the solid spring-board which the rest of my academic study (including a PhD in chemistry) and my following career in chemistry was built upon. I whole-heartedly beleive that my experience was unequivically improved by the diverse breadth of academics at Sheffield I was given the oppertunity to interact with. Less Academic staff means less opertunities to learn, less expertise available to students and a worse learning experience. I am appalled at the Universities senior leadership and urge them to change their minds. |
| Professor Andrew Weller | University of York | Chemsitry is a central science. Sheffield an anchor institution. I urge the university to think beyond the current position and to the near horizon, and how a diminished chemistry provision will impact on credibility, impact and position in the UK landscape. |
| Phil Gale | University of Groningen | |
| Megan Wyborn | Bangor University | I feel it’s concerning how quickly a university is willing to jeopardise the future of their students just to save a little bit of money instead of trying to fix the problem. The lack of students attending could easily be fixed with more promotional activity but instead they choose to cut staff and jeopardise the future of the chemistry field. Reading articles it’s also clear that Sheffield has the money to support the staff whilst they try to fix the problem. If there really were money problems they wouldn’t be spending money on new laboratories instead. |
| Gareth R E Surman | University of Bologna | I studied Chemistry MChem at Sheffield from 2015-2019. I then went on to study my PhD in Chemistry at the University of Manchester, and am currently a postdoctoral researcher in the group of Paolo Melchiorre at the University of Bologna. As a working class kid from Derby, whose parents left school with no A-levels to join the army, being able to pursue a degree in chemistry at an institution that was a) fairly local (but not too local!), b) cheap for cost of living and c) a fantastic teaching environment in a great city, has opened so many doors for me. I joined the university knowing really nothing about the world of academia, and through lectures and speaking to PhD students teaching us in the labs, learned that this was my passion, and have gone on to pursue this. I have now had the opportunity to perform research abroad, something I wish to continue before returning to the UK to start my academic career. I think none of this would have been possible without the excellent teaching and environment Sheffield provides, especially to kids like myself. By being only an hour away from home, I was able to visit and see my family, whilst also having that initial freedom that going to university brings. Several of my friends from home came to university in Sheffield, it’s a great distance for kids from the North/East Midlands. It’s also a fairly cheap place to live, great for someone like myself who was reliant on working in the summer to support my studies (although with some parental support!). I did not have to balance a job alongside my studies, and was able to captain the university athletics side including to club of the year, which helped give me a more well rounded experience. Considering what is already happening to Nottingham, I think it would be incredibly short sighted of the university to downgrade a department that serves students from these areas so well. I can only hope the continued success of its alumni (see Daniele Leonori, PhD Sheffield as a pertinent example) shows those responsible the value of this teaching department recently as well as historically. |
| Prof. Shinji Sugihara | University of Fukui | Downsizing the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield would be a serious and lasting loss. |
| Niek Buurma | Cardiff University | The University of Sheffield's motto is "rerum cognoscere causas". Good luck trying to do that when you drive your department of chemistry into the ground. |
| Prof Klaas Wynne | University of Glasgow | |
| Prof Alan Spivey | Imperial College London | These are difficult times for University finances, but I would urge the university management to work with the chemistry department to identify constructive solutions to these challenges. Cuts on the proposed scale will undoubtedly have far reaching negative consequences; honest dialogue and imaginative thinking could prevent this and likely identify a path to growth. |
| Richard Walton | University of Warwick | The proposal will be devastating for the whole institution: cutting academic staff numbers will mean that remaining staff will become teachers with no time for research, undoubtedly leading to irreversible reputational damage to department and university that has such a long and distinguished international standing. This is just at a time in history when we urgently need more highly-trained scientists to tackle serious global challenges to which Chemistry is the key to finding innovative solutions. The proposal is so short-sighted. |
| Prof. Scott Habershon | University of Warwick | I grew up in Sheffield, and the university's chemistry department provided my first experiences of what research and academia looks like. For a city so tied to the material world - through the steelworks and heavy industry that drove economic growth in the region - it is unfathomable that the university is proposing such significant cuts to the chemistry department. I would urge the university leadership to urgently reconsider these plans; a vibrant and active chemistry department is a vital component of any leading university. |
| Professor David Roper FRSC | University of Warwick | The institutional reputation of major UK universities like Sheffield that propose to close their chemistry department should not be underestimated. To do so, undermines one of the essential pillars of science in our univerity system and institution that does so underestimates what they have, and what they will loose in doing so. Senior management at Sheffield need to carefully consider the long term future of the institution and look to their own managerial and leadership decisions before axing a central pillar subject of higher education. |
| Prof. Brian Saunders | University of Manchester | The chemistry department at Sheffield University is (and has been) highly respected both nationally and internationally for decades. The fact that Profs Armes and Ryan are under threat of redundancy as well as the expert support for the EPSRC-funded X-ray facility is due to nonsensical short-term thinking. It is my considered view that the management at the University of Sheffield must be bold and find ways of protecting and enhancing chemistry over this difficult period and embrace a longer term vision. That means protecting all of the positions that are currently under threat by removing all threats of redundancies at chemistry. |
| Dr. Liam Ratcliffe | The Magnum Ice Cream Company | I am deeply concerned by the University of Sheffield’s proposed cuts to the Chemistry department. The exceptional MChem, PhD, and PDRA training I received at Sheffield was foundational to my career, and its rigor remains highly valued within my current sector: Food and Beverage Manufacturing and R&D. The university’s justification of 'needing to move with the times' fundamentally misinterprets the trajectory of modern industry. Across the UK, advanced manufacturing faces a critical deficit of skilled scientists. Industry demands more highly trained chemists—not fewer—to solve complex supply chain, sustainability, and safety challenges. This reality represents a profound growth opportunity for the university, rather than a justification for downsizing. Instead of dismantling the lifeblood of one of its most historically successful departments, I urge the leadership to align with macroeconomic needs. A recent Royal Society of Chemistry report explicitly warns that severe skill shortages threaten critical industrial and circular economy progress. Sheffield should be scaling up to meet this national demand, not retreating from it. https://www.rsc.org/news/new-report-warns-skills-shortages-threaten-circular-economy-progress. |
| Ingrid Tessmer | University of Wuerzburg, Germany | I really hope the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield University won't be closed. I think this would be rather short-sighted, as there is clearly a demand for the great work that comes from this Department. We have had a fantastic collaboration with Dr. Williams from the Department for several years now and are currently preparing a joint grant proposal to do exciting research together also in the future. |
| Motomu Tanaka, Professor and Chair | Heidelberg University, Germany | Through my long-lasting collaboration with Colleague Prof. Steven Armes, I have a deep respect to Chemistry Department of University of Sheffield. The department has outstanding reputations, and and it has nurtured a number of leading figures in academic and industry sectors. I join the voice of colleagues to express my deepest concerns with the plan and strongly recommend that the University should turn down the idea to cut the faculty positions in Chemistry Department. |
| Dr Joseph S. Vyle | Queen's University Belfast | What I remember most from my time at Sheffield Chemistry was the strong sense of collegiality, the desire to collaborate across disciplines (especially with the Krebs Institute) and how, in this environment, interdisciplinary, collaborative research thrived. Spreadsheets only measure what is precedented and in their application towards determining success in science utterly defeats the ability to acknowledge truly ground-breaking work, the ability of staff to gamble with commercial start-up companies and to risk investing time and energy into any venture for which a measurable outcome cannot be guarenteed. Sheffield will lose so much if it loses that environment from which Krebs, Roberts and Kroto were forged. |
| Prof Toby Jenkins | University of Bath | It is extraordinarily short sighted of the senior management at TUoS to rundown Chemistry in this way. Chemistry is a central discipline which is central to any university. It will be claimed that the department is not being closed: but this is death by a 1000 cuts: remaining staff will not have time or capacity to carry out research, as teaching load will be very high and a great department will slowly sink. It is immensely sad. |
| Dr Monica Agromayor | King's College London | The proposed strategy to reduce Chemistry academic staff is profoundly troubling and is a strategic mistake with long‑term consequences for research, teaching, and UK scientific capacity. Chemistry is a central science that connects and sustains a wide range of disciplines, and at a time of significant challenge such as the one we are currently facing, it is essential that leading universities like Sheffield ensure that chemistry not only survives but continues to flourish. |
| Dr Friederike Dannheim | AstraZeneca | |
| Prof Claudia Blindauer | University of Warwick | Decimating such a renowned Chemistry Department further can only be seen as wrong-headed and short-sighted, and I have no doubt that the University will, eventually, come to bitterly regret it if these cuts go ahead. |
| Prof Michal Hocek | IOCB Prague and Charles University | In my field of nucleic acids chemistry, the Sheffield Chemistry and Sheffield Institute for Nucleic Acids, are among the world leading schools with several outstanding research groups. It would be a shame to reduce such a center of excellence. |
| Dr Peter Portius | University of Birmingham | As academic staff in chemistry at another UK Russell Group university, I view these developments with serious concern. Chemistry is not simply one discipline among many; it is a foundational capability that underpins much of modern science and engineering. It enables advances across materials science, nanotechnology, biomedicine, pharmaceuticals, energy, and sustainability. A strong chemistry base is therefore essential not only for its own outputs, but for the health of biology, environmental science, geology, and engineering within an institution. From the perspective of major funding bodies, institutional depth in core physical sciences remains a critical factor in the success of large, multi-investigator and multidisciplinary bids. Significant erosion of chemistry capacity inevitably weakens a university’s ability to participate competitively in such programmes, particularly where coordination, facilities, and critical mass are required. Over time, reductions of this scale risk diminishing research output, citation impact, and international reputation in the physical sciences. These factors directly influence global standing and the ability to attract both funding and talent. |
| Dr Joshua Nicks | Unuversity of Bath | Sheffields Department of Chemistry is one of the best in the UK, the suggested actions should not even be considered |
| David Jakeman | Dalhousie University | I was undergraduate and graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield from 1989 - 1996. The academic environment and facilities were outstanding and I attribute much of my subsequent success to those formative years. As a tenured full professor at an institution in Canada, I sincerely hope that the University of Sheffield revokes the plans to downsize the institution given the central importance of chemistry within science. |
| Ralf Srama | University of Stuttgart, Germany | We have a successful cooperation. Without the work of the department, our calibration work of space instrumentation is compromised. |
| Fourat Keskin | Oxford Nanopore Technologies plc | It's simply ludicrous to imagine that the university c-suite would even consider shrinking such a prestigious department, which punches well above it's weight to produce multiple Nobel prize laureates. Without the department, I would not have been able to conduct my undergraduate or postgraduate studies and most certainly would not be working with ONT now. |
| Prof. Dr. Martin | Lear | Cutting Chemistry at Sheffield would be an act of institutional self-harm and national short-sightedness. At precisely the moment when the UK needs more chemistry-trained scientists for clean energy, medicines, sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing and the circular economy, Sheffield proposes to weaken one of its proven engines of discovery, skills and reputation. Chemistry provision across UK universities is already under acute threat, while the RSC warns of critical skills shortages. Once expertise, culture and capacity are dismantled, they cannot simply be rebuilt. Sheffield's senior leadership teams should strengthen Chemistry, not shrink it. What a travesty by those less informed and those with less vision. It is a time for strenght and opportunity for the UK. Thoughts go out to all colleagues in this position of uncertainty. |
| Prof Zoë Waller | UCL | |
| Harry Adams | Retired member of Chemistry Department | I worked in this Department for over forty years. The staff both academic and technical where peerless. Why oh why should this world acknowledged Department be forced into such a decline? |
| Professor Richard CD Brown | The University of Southampton | It will be a terrible mistake for the University of Sheffield if these plans progress. With ever increasing international competition in Science – recognizing its importance to society and the economy – UK Science needs to be supported not slashed. |
| Prof Marina Kuimova | Imperial College London | These compulsory redundancies will weaken Sheffield University and Chemistry landscape in the UK as a whole |
| Prof Jacob Klein | Weizmann Institute of Science | |
| Prof. John S.O. Evans | Durham Chemistry | I echo the many comments made by others. The UK needs to support and nurture fundamental scientific disciplines such as chemistry through its schools, universities and industries. Sheffield senior management need to consider carefully the enormous impact that more staff cuts will have on the Department's ability to prosper. |
| Dr Claire N Rees | Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials | Chemistry cannot continue to be cut like this, a vital subject for our future. |
| Emeritus Professor Kathryn Ayscough | University of Sheffield | |
| Paul Richardson | Pfizer | |
| Prof. Jon Sayers | The University of Sheffield | Chemistry lies at the core of biology, medicine, and pharmacy. Diminishing it would be a disaster for Sheffield University. |
| Prof Andrew Goodwin | University of Oxford | |
| Dr Traci Walker | University of Sheffield | It is with a heavy heart that I've read all the pleas for these short-sighted and self-serving cuts to be reversed, as the ears they will fall upon are clearly already closed to have even proposed such cuts. If there are any historians left in the future, they will surely look upon this era of 'cost-management' in universities as a hallmark of the overall cultural decline we see all around us. One might have thought that universities would attempt to stem the flood, rather than contribute to it. |
| Professor Mark Dillingham | University of Bristol | I am shocked to hear of these threats to Sheffield's Chemistry department. As a biochemist, I would particularly like to emphasise the longstanding national and international importance of Sheffield Chemistry at the chemistry–biology interface, including excellence in nucleic acid chemistry and chemical biology. It is deeply dispiriting to see departments of this calibre, which underpin the UK’s national science base, placed at risk by the combined effects of failed higher-education policy and inadequate stewardship from senior leaders across the sector. |
| MISS SOPHIA Y VAN MOURIK | University of Manchester | I had the privilege of doing my PhD in Sheffield's department of chemistry and now pursuing a career in academia. Chemistry is a primary physical science that needs be invested in and nurtured during these tough times for research. |
| Kitty Agace | NA | As a former student, my educational experience at the University of Sheffield was based on the excellence of the professors within the chemistry dept. Studying chemistry has been central to my professional and personal development |
| Dr Paul Ratcliffe | Eurofins Discovery | As alumni of Sheffield University chemistry department, I am astonished at the short sightedness of such a decision. |
| Alex Metherell | Royal Society of Chemistry | |
| Professor Samantha Pugh | University of Leeds | This is such a short term view. Chemistry at Sheffield is so well respected in the sector. |
| Sam kincaid | University of Sheffield | Not only save but fund this prestigious institute properly instead of pretending to. |
| Ian Beadham | Kingston University London | Before doing this, please remember the value of Sheffield University's Chemistry Department, not just at this moment, in pounds, shillings and pence, but over decades and on into the future. The department's positive impact on the research community and for the university's reputation is inestimably high. The Nobel laureates are the most visible, but they are only the tip of the iceberg concerning the research progress, discoveries, excellence in teaching and industrial performance that are products of the department's good work. A momentary financial snapshot cannot encapsulate these attributes. I spent my undergraduate and postgraduate days at Sheffield and it was a wonderful department in which the staff gave so much towards our progress. We all felt that we were at one of the best universities in the country and I regularly remember the kindness of my lecturers and supportive learning environment there, as well as the high academic and research standards maintained. Please remember that this department that is under threat is a national (and international) treasure! |
| Dr Jonathan Charmant | University of Bristol | I was immensely privileged to carry out postdoctoral research at Sheffield between 1994 and 1995, playing a tiny part in a project with BP Chemicals that delivered a key industrial process that is used to produce acetic acid. The department's ethos was then and continues to be one of world-class research (often intricately linked with industry) delivered alongside outstanding and innovative teaching. The proposed cuts will have a devastating impact on both research and teaching. It is difficult to see how changes of this magnitude could result in anything other than trashing Sheffield Chemistry's richly deserved reputation, effectively turning into a zombie department. |
| Professor William J Kerr FRSC FRSE | University of Strathclyde | Chemistry at Sheffield is a Department of global standing and reputation, with an internationally-leading track record in both teaching and research. Diminishing such a centre of academic excellence will have profound and negative impact at a local and national level. Accordingly, I request that the University senior management reassess their current staff reduction plans. |
| Natalya Dell | University of Sheffield Alumnus | I was a chemistry student 1999 to 2000 at Sheffield - I changed courses as the subject wasn't for me - my fault not the department's. I am really shocked to see how small the chemistry department now is, with appalling plans to reduce it further. It was huge in 1999 and there was a massive range of expertise held by staff from organometallics through to computational chemistry. These cuts seem shortsighted and will overloaded remaining staff with more unreasonable workloads which doesn't benefit students, staff or the university long term. |
| David Keyworth | Caterham School | As a chemistry teacher of over 30 years, I am pleased to say that the number of students studying A level are the highest I can remember. With this thirst for chemistry clearly alive in the young, it makes no sense at all to be reducing and closing university chemistry departments. Sheffield Chemistry has a great and long-standing reputation, and I recommend the university to my students as a place to study STEM. They have always been extremely happy at Sheffield, until now - they are now anxious and worried. It seems utterly foolish to close such a prestigious department when there is so much new and important science on the horizon. |
| Steven Street | University of Liverpool | Sheffield remains one of the most prestigious and historic chemistry departments in the UK. The proposed changes are short-sighted, and only serve to make the whole community poorer. |
| James Sharp | University of Nottingham | Cutting staff in a world class chemistry department is a huge mistake. University senior managers should think about the long term consequences of their actions, rather than the bottom line on a spreadsheet. University staff ( including academics) are the lifeblood of their institutions. THEY are the reason that students come to study. |
| Abi Bone | University of Sheffield | However torturous learning chemistry can be at times, it’s crucial to almost all sections of employment. I don’t know how we can be expected to be taught well and receive the best university experience with professors that are being treated like crap so much so that they can’t provide us the correct education we need. Don’t do more damage to this department than you already have. |
| Shuichi Maeda | Tokai University | The dismissal of outstanding professors represents a significant loss to the field of science and technology. |
| Claire McWhirter | Artios Pharma | My degree and PhD in the chemistry department at Sheffield were foundational for the career path I’ve taken in drug discovery. The strong chemical biology focus at Sheffield has created a unique community of scientists in the UK who can bridge both biology and chemistry, which is essential to the countries success in biotech and drug discovery. Eviscerating the chemistry department would have a long term, potentially devastating impact on the drug discovery community within the UK. |
| Hasan Ahmad | University of Rajshahi | I am shocked to hear this unfortunate decision from the Sheffield University’s senior leadership and council. The compulsory redundancy of six academic members from Chemistry Department including the recognized scientist, Professor Steve Armes, would definitely lower the ranking and prestige of Sheffield University as a whole. I strongly urge the body to reconsider the decision in the interest of Chemistry Department. |
| Dr Steve Edmondson | University of Manchester | Sheffield Chemistry has long been a foundational part of our national capability in materials chemistry, particularly polymer chemistry. Few in these strategically important sectors have not studied, worked or collaborated with this department and its world-leading academic staff, both in academia and industry. The proposed job losses would be a critical blow to our capability to respond to important national challenges including net zero, sustainability and the energy transition. |
| Professor Alison Thompson, Canada Research Chair (PhD, University of Sheffield) | Dalhousie University | The skills learned in quality chemistry programs are crystal clear, not only in traditional chemistry-oriented professions but also across senior administrative roles in both academia and industry. Quality chemistry programs necessarily foster the skills to handle oneself with equanimity – a critical skill for systems thinking and the fair review of evidence. One can only hope that the decision-makers here took some quality chemistry programs such as those offered at the University of Sheffield. Chemistry is a core science, with thinking at its core - a proper university simply shouldn't be without a Department of Chemistry. |
| Adam Carlton | University of Sheffield | Downsizing and 'restructuring' might make an Excel sheet look green for a year or two, but it fundamentally weakens the university and damages our reputation. If undergraduate chemistry intake has reduced, the solution is strategic investment to make Sheffield more competitive, and not managing a decline by firing the very staff who make the department world-class. |
| Richard King | UOS Retired | The Chemistry Department hosted four of the Nobel prize winners that the UOS is so proud of on their website. How could the higher management of the UOS let this happen to a Chemistry Department that was one of the top ten in the UK? |
| Michael Murray | MetalloBio | Fundamentals are the key of all disciplines. Chemistry sits at the roots of everything from structural technologies that underpin all building construction; through generating the materials used in transport, household goods, computing hardware, and catalysts required to transform otherwise inviable industrial processes; to drugs and medical apparatus. What happens when you remove the foundations? This is totally stupid and unthinking. |
| mia richards | university of sheffield | this is so unbelievable important to the students studying this course and the students who want to in the future. please do not dismiss us. |
| Dr Michael Walker | Illumina | I studied Chemistry in Sheffield. Reducing the department without a clear plan for growth is concerning—it risks damaging the University’s reputation and its future impact. |
| Olajide Otitoju | Newcastle University | I studied for my Masters and PhD at the University of Sheffield and having four previous Nobel Winners from the Chemistry Department was instrumental to my coming to Sheffield University. It will be a shame to see such prestigious department go. |
| Prof. Georgii Nikonov, FRSC | Brock University | |
| Prof. Colin Pulham, FRSC | University of Edinburgh | |
| Eric Fileman | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Jim A Thomas | University of Sheffield | |
| James Cranch | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Mike Newell | SJM Risk Consulting Ltd | |
| Adnan Ishaq | University of Birmingham | The proposed redundancies are highly concerning and detrimental to a world class chemistry department |
| Dr Barbara Ciani | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Joe Harrity | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Jeannine Hess | King's College London | |
| Dr Thomas Andrews | University of Sheffield | |
| María Prieto Rojo | University of Sheffield | |
| Nicholas Burton | Graduate of the deparment | |
| Andrew Brown | Anima Biotech | |
| Robert Matthews | University of Sheffield | |
| Katherine Inskip | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Fer Velazquez de la Paz | University of Sheffield | |
| Izzy Schofield | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Sarah Staniland | Honorary academic, University of Sheffield | |
| Alice Keyworth | University of Sheffield | |
| Olivia Payne-Thompson | University of Sheffield | |
| Travis Brook | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Michael Booth | University College London | |
| Ella Knight | University of Sheffield | |
| Tom Jackson | University of Sheffield | |
| Ellie Mansfield | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Nick Williams | University of Sheffield | |
| Rosina Lyons | University of Sheffield | |
| Sam Donovan | The University of Sheffield | |
| William McMahon | University of Sheffield | |
| Andi Xie | Uni of Sheffield | |
| Esther Davidson | University of sheffield | |
| George Rodgers | Form Student at UoS Chemistry | |
| Dr Andrew McCluskey | University of Bristol | |
| Prof Tanvir Hussain | University of Nottingham | |
| Dr Thomas Neal | Sorbonne Université | |
| Dr Darren Bradshaw | University of Southampton | |
| Max Hughes | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Lee Brammer | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Tanja Junkers | Monash University | |
| Dr L. David Finger | FabricNano | Chemical education is vital and teaching of chemistry should.not be conducted by molecular biologists. |
| Dr Rob Dawson | University of Sheffield | |
| Yuting Li | Infineum | |
| Jenna Thompson | Student of chemistry at the University of Sheffield | |
| Tanmaya Venkateshwara | University of Sheffield | |
| Elizabeth McKenzie | University of Sussex | |
| Ravin Narain | University of Alberta | |
| Dr Maud SAVE | CNRS - University of Pau & Pays Adour | Chemistry and especially polymer chemistry are key scientific fields from both an industrial and an academic perspective. It is essential to maintain a solid foundation of knowledge and expertise in this field to enable future innovations across a wide range of technologies, which are vital to the competitiveness of the United Kingdom and Europe. |
| Loïs Birchall | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Sheryl Cherian Parakkal | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvanthapuram | I was at the Chemistry department at Sheffield in 2010. I remember the supportive and highly skilled professors and mentors I had...the blend of talent, inspiration and knowledge shared with future generations of chemists is something to cherish. |
| Carl Poree | University of Manchester | |
| Dr Nigel Clarke FRSC | Cambridge University | |
| Fiona Hatton | Loughborough Univeristy | This is devastating news for Chemistry at Sheffield. The Chemistry department at Sheffield has held an excellent reputation for research within the field of Polymer Science and Soft Matter for many years. This level of redundancies will absolutely negatively impact the departments reputation and more broadly impact the University's place in rankings. |
| Julien Rosselgong | ISCR CNRS | |
| Leon F Willis | University of Leeds | |
| Amitava Das | Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata | I support preserving the Future of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield |
| Mark Collins | University of Sheffield | |
| Phil Reeve | Health and Safety Executive | I tell people I graduated from The University of Sheffield, Chemistry Department before it was ruined. |
| Pradeepan Packiyanathar | University of sheffield | |
| Sue Bethel | A | |
| Peter Jeppe Madsen | Technical University of Sheffield | |
| M.-Violante De-Paz | University of Seville | I fully support chemistry research programmes led by such distinguished scientists as Professor Steven P. Armes! |
| Pradeep Pareek | Self employed | Prof. Steves Armes is one of the most internationally renowned figures in polymer and colloid chemistry. His work over the period of more than 20 years has elevated The University of Sheffield's global academic ranking. Removing some like him sends a highly damaging signal to the international scientific community regarding Sheffield's commitment to work class foundation and applied research |
| Tara | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Evelin Csanyi | PhD & MChem from University of Sheffield | Others have already made good points about the impact of these proposed cuts. I would like to add a broader concern about the direction this represents. Even if these cuts are being presented as a cost-saving measure, the University is still making significant investments in AI and other future-facing technologies. That may be important, but the future will also need deep human expertise that automation cannot replace. Cutting away decades of world-class expertise and institutional knowledge in Chemistry, only to realise years later that these are exactly the kinds of skills that have become most valuable, feels short-sighted. Market data already points to continued demand for scientific and technical skills, so weakening a strong foundation in this area seems difficult to justify. If the University is serious about growth, it should be protecting the human expertise and specialist training that society will need in the future. |
| Mark Elliott | Cardiff University | |
| Pierre Chambon | The University of Liverpool | |
| Jon Ashley | Liverpool John Moores University | No department can run on a 40% reduction of the workforce. |
| Kirk Peterson | Washington State University | |
| Matt Derry | Aston University | |
| Dr. Vadde Ramu | Ruhr-University Bochum | It was my first foreign university where learned my chemistry and scientific technics and I wish Sheffield will continue training scientists like me in the future generations and produce more Nobel laurates. |
| Tom Brown | University of Sheffield Chemistry | Even though it is a small course, the chemistry department punch well above their weight when it comes to achieving, with numerous Nobel prize winners and discoveries made here. By continuing to shrink the amazing department, you’re doing the university and the country a disservice by limiting the potential of someone who could create something to better the world. Really have a think about what you’re doing to not just the staff, who are arguably the best department when it comes to student satisfaction, but also to the wider community who chemists constantly better everyday |
| Stuart Smith | Durham University | |
| Elfyn Jones | Ofichem Uppsala AB | Was there as a postdoc in the 1990's. Excellent department, very lively and great interactions between the research groups. |
| Vincent LADMIRAL | CNRS | My postdoctoral position at the chemistry department in Sheffield has been a game-changing event in my career as a researcher. I certainly would not have been recruited by CNRS, nor would have I been successful in attracting both government and industrial funding without the training I received at Sheffield. |
| Liam Marshall | Baylor University | |
| Dr. Igor Sazanovich | Central Laser Facility STFC | |
| James Kirkham | Infex Therapeutics | |
| Mona Semsarilar | CNRS | |
| Peichao Zhao | Biosynth | Please save Sheffield Chemistry |
| Burguiere Carine | Education nationale | |
| Finch Talbot-Ponsonby | University of Sheffield | |
| Islay Brevet | University of Sheffield | |
| Kay McGuinness | ANB Sensors | |
| Marcel Jaspars | University of Aberdeen | Chemistry is essential for many other disciplines |
| Declyn Yearl | University of Sheffield | |
| Sarah Harris | University of Sheffield | Chemistry is a vital underpinning discipline throughout the physical sciences |
| Shivani joshi | UoS | |
| Will Hartley | Universitat Rovira i Virgili | |
| Sebastien Rochat | University of Bristol | |
| Matthew Farmer | Econic Technologies | |
| Becky Greenaway | Imperial College London | |
| Javier Amalvy | INIFTA - UNLP | |
| Jack Maxfield | CPI | |
| James Metcalf | Max-Planck-Institut für Kohlenforschung | |
| Anthony Haynes | University of Sheffield | |
| Clare McCabe | Heriot-Watt University | |
| Dominic Willcox | Heriot-Watt University | |
| Georgiana Thomas | University of Sheffield | |
| Ben Partridge | University of Sheffield | |
| Andrew Nortcliffe | University of Nottingham | Chemistry across the country is at threat, despite the wide acknowledgment of its growing role and importance in society. Cuts like these are short sighted and are detrimental to the University. |
| Marco Conte | University of Sheffield | |
| Beth Crowston | University of Sheffield | |
| Martin Gill | Swansea Chemistry | |
| Isla Salt | University of Sheffield | |
| Kiran Kaur | University of Sheffield | |
| Damien Valette | MSD | |
| Emily Fake | University of Sheffield | |
| Vincent Buensuceso | University of Sheffield | |
| Guillaume De Bo | The University of Manchester | |
| Zak Landsborough | University of Sheffield | |
| Izzy Jayasinghe | University of Sheffield | |
| Simon Collinson | The Open University | I learnt a great deal as an undergraduate & PhD student in the chemistry department at university of Sheffield |
| Simon Fawcett | The University of Chicago | |
| Danny Mortimer | Johnson Matthey | |
| Shannon North | PALEUS | |
| Lourdes Mónica Bravo Anaya | Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes, CNRS | |
| Maria Vamvakaki | University of Crete | |
| Ella Wright | The University of Sheffield | |
| Luke Nelson | University of Sheffield | |
| Jon Preece | University of Birmingham | |
| Sophie Bryant | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr. Nicholas Carter | Hugh Baird College | |
| Rowan Gilburt | University of Sheffield | |
| Mark Williams | Notre Dame High School, Sheffield | |
| Alia Dasu | University of Sheffield | |
| Ellysha Ryan | University of Sheffield | |
| Thomas Flynn | University of Sheffield | |
| Amelia Martin | University of Sheffield | |
| Susannah Caston | University of Sheffield | |
| Kyle Marples | University of Sheffield | |
| Sophie green | Uni of sheffield | |
| Nam Trong Nguyen | Illumina Cambridge | |
| Johnny Davies | UoS | |
| Christopher Gilburt | University of St Andrews | |
| Ifty Ahmed | University of Nottingham | |
| Jenny Durie | University of Sheffield | |
| Georgia Corcoran | University of Sheffield | |
| Alfie | University of Sheffield | Don’t close the course WE NEED CHEMISTS they are vital and continued support to the course should be provided |
| Oliver Thompson | The University of Sheffield | |
| Alexander Bismarck | University of Vienna | After Hull, yet more redundancies. This cannot be the solution to make chemistry attractive. |
| Hannah Goulden | University of Sheffield | |
| Lawrence Ashplant | University of Sheffield | |
| Emily Wiggan | University of Sheffield | |
| Eppi Tinslay | University of Sheffield | |
| Rosanna Hood | University of Sheffield | |
| Kirsty Ray | University of Sheffield | |
| Hazel Porter | University of Sheffield | |
| Arlo Clifton Baran | University of Sheffield | |
| Andrew Weaver | Key Organics | Having studied for my MChem at Sheffield, I am disappointed to see this news, and believe that this institution deserves better, and encourage those in power to reverse their decision. |
| Dr Robert Wybrow | PIL Membranes LTD | |
| Musaab Choudhry | University of Sheffield | The university chasing money instead of creating a nurturing environments for chemists to grow is appalling. From being a university that produced Nobel prize winners from the chemistry department to firing as many staff as they can just for their own monetary gain is disgraceful. |
| Sam Locklan | Uni of Sheffield | |
| Nadav Amdursky | University of Sheffield | |
| Thomas Holmes | University of Sheffield | |
| Alastair Brown | The University of Sheffield | |
| Daniel Philipson | University of Sheffield | |
| Simon Keenan | University of Sheffield | |
| Katherine Hunter | Ex Student | |
| Julien Brioche | Université de Rouen Normandie | |
| Sarah Greenwood | Consultant | |
| Daisy Slater | The University of Sheffield | |
| Jana Ostojin | University of Sheffield | |
| Sophie Nowak | University of Sheffield | |
| Daisy Clubley | University of Sheffield | |
| lottie | university of sheffield | NOOOOO |
| Amalie | University of Sheffield | |
| Agnas Theresa Linas | The university of Sheffield | |
| Katie Knott | University of Sheffield | |
| Christen Alilio | University of Sheffield | |
| Shona Mallen | University of Sheffield | |
| Joseph lovett | Orbia Fluor and Energy Materials | |
| Shoubhik Maiti | University of Oxford | I am an alumni of Sheffield chemistry. |
| Daniel Geoger | University of Sheffield | |
| Hasina Rahman | The University of Warwick | |
| Han Zuilhof | Wageningen University | |
| David Leese | Concept Life Sciences | |
| Sarah D Alharbi | University of Sheffield | |
| Anna Verma | University of Sheffield | |
| Raminder Mulla | Coretech Sciences | In solidarity. |
| Prof Mark Geoghegan | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Andrew Pryke | University of Sheffield | |
| Thorri Gunnlaugsson | University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin | |
| Iona Derby | University of Sheffield | |
| Mrs Christine Cardin | University of Reading | This is an outstanding department and I ask the management to rethink this shortsighted proposal. Chemistry is a fundamental underpinning discipline and training, supporting so much of the economy. |
| Prof Vas Stavros | University of Birmingham | |
| Aidan Derby | National Physical Laboratory | |
| Scarlett Carr | University of Manchester | |
| Izzy Wood | University of Nottingham | |
| Dr Neil Stevenson | CMC Logic Consultancy | |
| Terry Swarbrick | Swarbrick IP | Chemistry is a foundational science, key to the UK economy, essential for an economy to compete and a critical national security discipline. Way too may chemistry depts have closed or been downgraded and under-funded. |
| Ryan D | University of Sheffield | |
| Jairus | University of sheffield | |
| Christopher Sumby | Adelaide Uniersity | |
| Rodolfo Teixeira | Loughborough University | |
| Harry young | University of Sheffield | |
| Chris Lorenz | King's College London | |
| Matt Hopkinson | Newcastle University | |
| Panos Georgiou | University of Manchester | |
| Darisha Khan | The University of Sheffield | |
| Jian-Jun Yuan | DIC Corporation | |
| Emily Jones | University of Sheffield | |
| Philip Crisp | Uni Of Sheffield | Please dont kill Sheffield Chemistry |
| Chloe Wakeham | University of Sheffield | |
| daisy | university of sheffield’s | |
| Pengcheng (Simon) Yang | SINOMACH | |
| Tally Mennear | University of Sheffield | |
| Patrick Gun Cuninghame | Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Mexico City | I fully support your campaign to prevent any compulsory redundancies in the University of Sheffield. |
| Professor Hasan Ahmad | University of Rajshahi | I am shocked to hear this unfortunate news and regret the decision. I strongly appeal the University’s Senior leadership to reconsider the decision of teaching staff redundant and save the Chemistry Department at Sheffield University. |
| Elliot Drummond | Skalar | |
| Syuji FUJII | Osaka Institute of Technology | |
| Thomas Groth | University of Sheffield | My four years of chemistry have been outstanding and the idea that my experience will not be available to other in the future is abhorrent. University management should think again before dismantling such an important department. |
| Erica Wanless | The University of Newcastle (Australia) | Devastating as a long term collaborator |
| Saskia Lindhoud | University of Twente | |
| Yin Ning | Jinan University (China) | |
| Armando Carlone | University of L'Aquila (Italy) | |
| Dr Ev Stöckel | Telecomputer GmbH | |
| Prof. Andrew B. Lowe | Khalifa University of Science and Technology | |
| Stephen Repper | Metalysis | |
| Dr Liam Nagle-Cocco | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory | |
| Andrew Morse | Stratasys | |
| Theo Smith | University of Nottingham | |
| Adam Churchill | University of Sheffield | |
| Damien Dupin | Fundación CIDETEC | Save Sheffield Chemistry |
| Alastair Baker MChem MRSC FHEA PhD MNucI | National Nuclear Users Facility - MULTIForm | |
| William Sharratt | University of Liverpool | |
| Alison Stuart | University of Leicester | |
| Fabrizio Ortu | University of Leicester | |
| Ashmi Raina Vasudeva | University of Sheffield | |
| Alice Thomas | University of Sheffield | |
| Sandy Kilpatrick | University of Leicester | Strength and solidarity from Leicester, who have been going through a similarly painful process this past year! |
| Curtis Hills | Sheffield chemistry | |
| Carlo GONZATO | CNRS | Chemistry is at the core of the development of any society, and the humankind has built the world we live today mastering ways of transforming and shaping materials. To tackle future challenges and to contribute to a sustainable development, we need chemistry in our toolbox. |
| Alex cole | University of Sheffield | |
| Tom Hasell | University of Liverpool | |
| Conor Dean | AstraZeneca | |
| Glenn Burley | University of Strathclyde | |
| Dr Michael Hippler | University of Sheffield and ETH Zurich, Switzerland | |
| Ann Dixon | University of Warwick | |
| Noelle Scully | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Axel Mueller | Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz | |
| Daniel Swallow | Immaterial Ltd | |
| Prof Christopher Rayner | University of Leeds | |
| Hannah Frow | The university of Sheffield | |
| Isaac Pearson | University of Sheffield | |
| Alistair Miller Ph.D C.Sci C.Chem FRSC | University of Exeter | A great city, a great university with an equally great chemistry department. One that was home to somebody whose chemistry was an inspiration to me, G. Michael Blackburn. How is the world supposed to take us seriously when our great institutions close the doors on the central science. I was firmly of the belief that when Exeter closed its doors, again a superb dept with at the time the likes of Stan Roberts, Ian Coldham etc it diminished itself. This would be no different-please think again! |
| Stirling Green | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Eliza Dempsey | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Paul Giles PhD CChem MRSC | University of Sheffield | Having studied here 1985-1993 and completed 3 degrees on the way, this would be another blow to chemistry in the UK. With so many other universities having already closed their chemistry departments, the community needs to fight to keep the remaining ones open! |
| Jack Hardwick | University of Bristol | |
| Cecile Dreiss | King's College London | |
| Dr Tobias Kraemer | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Alex Routh | University of Cambridge | |
| Beth Mulligan | University of Sheffield (undergraduate) | |
| Miguel Jorge | University of Strathclyde | This is yet another symptom of the forced decline of fundamental science in the UK, due to flawed policies and bad management. Glad to see so many colleagues taking a stand. |
| Prof Julian Eastoe | Bristol | |
| Prof Emrys Evans | Swansea University | |
| Dr Tim Smith FRSC | na | |
| James Ryan | Swansea University | |
| Matilda Hill | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Stephen Bigger FRACI | Victoria University Australia | Sheffield University cannot afford to lose such high calibre people. I wish them well in their campaign. |
| Professor Wuge Briscoe | University of Bristol | |
| Dr Timothy Easun | The University of Birmingham | |
| Joseph Keddie | University of Surrey | Chemistry is an integral part of the sciences at Sheffield. The loss of expertise and knowledge through the proposed cuts will cause irrecoverable damage not only to the Department but to the University as a whole. Chemistry at Sheffield is a driver of the regional economy and must be protected. |
| Dr Sorin Filip FRSC | bp | Chemistry is a foundational science. Developing specialised expertise and workforce requires years of costly investment nationwide in education and capability. Protecting and growing such talent pool must be a national priority. |
| Yiqing Tang | Molecular Medical | |
| Dr Parvaneh Mokarian | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Prof. Gabriele C. Sosso | The University of Warwick | Surely, in the face of financial difficulties, cutting academic posts cannot be the most sensible solution. If the University needs to make savings, it should look elsewhere first. Universities exist because of academics - not the other way around. |
| Prof Steve Rannard | University of Liverpool | |
| Martin Attfield | The University of Manchester | |
| Bob Baker | TCD | |
| Dr David Atkinson FRSC CChem | BP | |
| James Anderson | Analytik Ltd | |
| Julien NICOLAS | University of Paris-Saclay, CNRS | |
| Dr John Atack | Griffith University, Institute for Biomedicine and Glycomics | Spent three excellent years in chemistry at Sheffield as an ECR. An absolute shame that it has come to front line cuts in a department as stellar as chemistry |
| Professor Richard JK Taylor FRSC | University of York (Emeritus) | |
| Dr Peter N O Gillespie | School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin | As a PhD graduate from the University of Sheffield chemistry department, I and many others would not be where they are today without its great teaching staff and lecturers. Cutting staffing numbers in this way continues a disastrous trend seen in UK higher education more broadly which will gradually destroy the sector and its reputation as a whole if allowed to continue. |
| Dr Natalia Martsinovich | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Dylan P. Williams NTF | University of Birmingham | |
| Alice Lowcock | Veolia | |
| Conor Lynch | King's College London (formerly UoS) | |
| Dr Oliver Wilkinson | University of Bristol | I studied as a Chemistry undergrad (MChem) at Sheffield in 1998, and also did my PhD in the Chemistry department. The education I received there was integral to my development as a scientist and I'm extremely saddened to hear this news. |
| Emeritus Professor Rob Deeth | University of Warwick | |
| Lee Fielding | The University of Manchester | I studied and worked in Sheffield Chemistry as an undergraduate, PhD student and PDRA. A lot of how I approach both research and teaching comes directly from that environment. In my current role as a Discipline Head of Education at the University of Manchester, I see how challenging it is to sustain departments that genuinely do both well. Sheffield Chemistry has done that for a long time, and it matters. You can’t easily rebuild a department once its staff, culture and identity have been dismantled. I strongly support this letter. |
| Thomas Wheater | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Ben Hargreaves | LATI (BSc & PhD at Sheffield) | |
| Prof Ross Forgan | University of Glasgow | |
| Demetris Bates | University of Sheffield | Chemistry is vital to so many current and future technologies and innovations. Witnessing a department which has yielded some truly groundbreaking science, both in Sheffield and through the people it has developed, is truly heartbreaking. The actions of the university's leadership have made it clear to this early-career scientist that this is currently no place to build a career, but by changing course they can halt the decline of a fundamental pillar of science and invest in the future of the University of Sheffield as a whole. |
| Leila Abbas | University of Sheffield | So the University can fund a new swimming pool but not a fundamental science department? Shocking behaviour from a Russell Group institution. Sending support to yet more colleagues and friends who are affected. |
| Prof Costas S. Patrickios | University of Cyprus | |
| Professor Mark Murrie FRSC | University of Glasgow | |
| Andreas Hanisch | amsOSRAM | |
| Prof Cyrille Boyer | UNSW Sydney | Fully support of the best chemistry department in the world. |
| Prof. Stephen Connon | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Dr. John Claridge | University of Liverpool | |
| Professor Lars Evenäs | Chalmers University of Technology | |
| Professor Matthew Davidson | University of Bath | |
| Adam John | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Robin Rumney | University of Southampton | As a Sheffield alumnus, it greatly concerns me to see what is happening to a once great institution |
| Dr Alexandra Gibbs | University of St Andrews | |
| Dr Jutta Rieger | CNRS | |
| Dr Sarah Pike | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Maciek Kopec | University of Bath | |
| Dr Andy Wells | CTC ltd | |
| Colin Jenkins | Adaptive Instruments Ltd | Retaining the Department of Chemistry at Sheffield University is an essential part of chemical education in the United Kingdom. We have supported graduates from this department who have estabished senior positions in British industry furthering the growth of the UK economy. |
| Matthew Cliffe | University of Cambridge | |
| Prof Andrey Khlobystov | University of Nottingham | Save Chemistry at Sheffield! It is world-famous research organisation. |
| Prof Simon Coles | University of Southampton | As articulated in the letter and by many signatories, these challenging financial times are precisely when we should be investing in, and supporting, the chemical sciences - for the benefit of both higher education and research and for the nation. Crippling such a key discipline so that it will be unable to contribute to research and innovation is completely counter to the approach that needs to be taken. |
| Prof. Richard Bourne | University of Leeds | Incredibly disappointed to hear about the cuts at Sheffield Chemistry (and other departments). This department is globally important that has generated global impact that and these cuts will damage the national and chemical manufacturing and discovery in the north of the UK. |
| Paul Stevenson | Stevenson Process Techology | This is retrogade, and the proposal should be reversed. It is, I fear, a consequence of the zeitgeist in universites where management look at the (temporary) balance sheet rather than understanding the value of what they have. Sooner, or later, UK universites will realise that their current business model is poor, and they will want to revert to what they used to be. But once capacity, and capability, is lost it will be difficult to recover. |
| Bob Challen | University of Bath | |
| Muriel Lansalot | CNRS- Lyon 1 Université | |
| Dr Iain Oswald | University of Strathclyde | Chemistry is a fundamental science that contributes to UK PLC with the science but also the people. The potential loss of a chemistry will have a significant impact on UKs ability to contribute. I would urge the University to reconsider this decision. |
| Max Galton | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Andrew Marsh | University of Warwick | The Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield is a leader with a great reputation for enabling collaboration across disciplines. It takes long-term support to enable this to happen. |
| Rahila Bhat | Myself | |
| Dr Danny Allwood | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Gregor Gair | Chemistry Department University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Lizzie Wheeldon | University of York | |
| Anthony Choi | Cortex Organics | |
| Prof Anna Slater | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr Alexander N. Baker | University of Warwick | |
| Terry J. Dillon | University of York | |
| Bryony Parker | SCI/Sheffield Chemistry Alumni | My time at Sheffield within the chemistry department, the skills I learned, the opportunities I had and the mentorship I received from staff shaped my onward career path. There is something special about Chemistry at Sheffield and I hope that support is put in place to ensure Sheffield chemistry students can continue to thrive throughout their studies and into their career. |
| Dr DEBORAH CRAWFORD | University of Birmingham | |
| Julia Payne | University of St Andrews | |
| Dafydd Jones FLSW | Cardiff | |
| Michaele Hardie | University of Leeds | |
| Dr Peter Roth | University of Surrey | The UK requires strong chemistry departments--Sheffield being one of its flagships--to maintain internationally competitive research and industry. |
| Katherine Twiggs | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Javier Castells-Gil | University of Birmingham | |
| Sophie Watson | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Stephen Wells | University of Bath | Higher education is a good in itself, and is also a major British industry and a hugely valuable British export - so valuable that people are willing to come here for years and spend large sums supporting the British economy before they go home with their degree. For some reason, successive governments seem determined to choke this industry and destroy this export for reasons of ideology and xenophobia. We must not be complicit. |
| Prof Jane Grasby | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Stuart Archer | The University of Sheffield | |
| Bali Bashar | Uni of Sheffield alum, current UCL student. | |
| Prof Yuanli Cai | Soochow University | |
| Prof Renhua Deng | Huazhong University of Science and Technology | |
| Prof Victor Chechik | University of York | Chemistry Department in Sheffield is a critical part of UK academic community and the proposed cuts will make long-term damage to the University and beyond. Three postdoctoral years at Sheffield were instrumental in developing my career. |
| Prof Per Zetterlund | University of New South Wales | |
| Dr Jamie Gould | University College London | |
| Dr Steven Spall | Yorkshire Water | |
| Dr Jon Kragskow | University of Bath | |
| Professor Andrew Carnell | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr George Farrow | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Julia Sarju | University of York | |
| Dr Christine Nunn | London Metropolitan University | |
| Dr Mark Isaacs | University College London | Sheffield is a high quality and historic department |
| Dr Arthur Graf | CARDIFF University, UK'S National Facility for X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy | |
| Dr Laura Driscoll | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Louise Male | University of Birmingham | |
| Assoc Prof Richard Grainger | University of Birmingham | |
| Prof Alison Parkin | University of York | This is devastating and worrying news; we need Chemistry more than ever as the science that can deliver sustainable solutions to the global challenges humanity faces in striving for a healthy, resilient Earth. The UK will not remain a world-leader without continued training and investment in ongoing chemical education and research. |
| Joey Sha | Warwick | |
| Dr Jon Tandy | University of Kent | |
| Thomas Duddles | The University of Manchester | |
| Dr Maddie Woodward MRSC | Previous - University of Southampton | |
| Assoc Prof Jason Harper | University of New South Wales | |
| Prof Rasmita Raval | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr Olivier Soppera | CNRS | |
| Dr Joëlle Prunet | University of Glasgow | |
| Prof Helen Sneddon | University of York | |
| Dr Paul Davies | University of Birmingham | As a Sheffield Chemistry alumnus it is profoundly disappointing to see such decisions being made by the University Leadership, both for the impact on talented researchers and educators who have dedicated their careers to the University, and for the generational damage that such decisions can have on institution's reputation, recruitment, and ability to respond effectively to future opportunities and needs. |
| Dr. Harry C. Sample | University of Southampton | |
| Min Zeng | University of Sheffield | |
| Sanneke Buckley | NHSBT | Chemistry is the foundation of Science and Sheffield is a innovation hub for science. It will be less strong with a reduced Chemistry department. |
| Sophie Purser | Mirico Ltd | |
| Prof Christopher Ober, NAE | Cornell University | |
| Dr Gina Washbourn | University of Liverpool | |
| Assoc Prof Joseph Wright | University of East Anglia | |
| Maria Orchard | Ashland, Inc. | |
| Prof Peter Slater | University of Birmingham | |
| James Gagen | University of Sheffield | |
| Ian Sudbery | University of Sheffield | |
| Chandresh Malde | Johnson Matthey | Chemistry is one the fundamental pillars of science. Too many scientific departments have been closed down, and many are at risk. Sheffield has a rich history in Chemistry. If this carries on then the UK will quickly lose its reputation for fostering world class scientific education and research. Once done, it cannot be undone. |
| Kian Stevens | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Sébastien Perrier | University of Warwick | |
| Prof Yurii Gun'ko | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Prof Antoine Buchard | University of York | I stand in solidarity with colleagues at the University of Sheffield and urge University leaders to include Chemistry in their vision for the future. |
| Prof Jim Tucker | University of Birmingham | |
| Prof (Emeritus) Mark Burchell | University of Kent | Cutting in the short term without a proper plan for long term success is not a good policy. Please consider the impact on workloads (teaching, research and admin). Experience shows you will not keep attract students, win grants etc. at the same level as before. Experience also shows that cuts can be made on a timescale of say 1 year, but the resulting difficulties are long term and are almost always underestimated.. |
| Rae Sarssam | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr James Gaynor | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr Tom Dugmore | University of York | |
| Dr Marco Sacchi | University of Surrey | |
| Dr Nataliia Hulai | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr Alicia Forsberg | The University of Sheffield | I am very disappointed and worried about the devastating proposed reduction of academic staff in Chemistry. It will be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to rebuild the lost expertise, and these cuts will have devastating consequences for both our university's reputation and staff morale, with severe knock-on effects on our students' learning experience. |
| Assoc Prof Sam Mabbott | Texas A&M | |
| Prof. Simon E. Lewis | University of Bath | The Chemistry Department at the University of Sheffield is internationally leading, with a world class research output and globally respected degree programmes. For the university to impose such swingeing cuts on an unambiguously successful department such as this is an act of self-sabotage. The chemistry community, the local community, and the UK’s research standing will all suffer as a result if these cuts go ahead. |
| Vignesh Sudarsan | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Gabriele Kociok-Kohn | University of Bath | When this culling is going on across all the universities where does Britain stand in the world? Definitely not as a Scientific leader. |
| Dr Mike Towrie | STFC | |
| Dr Kathryn Aston | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Andrew Burrows | University of Bath | |
| Nemanja Vaci | University of Sheffield | |
| Amy Morgan | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Ryan Bramley | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Peter Dunne | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Assoc Prof Oscar Siles Brügge | University of Nottingham | |
| Asha Akram | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Beining Chen | University of Sheffield | Agree with all comments made by everyone. |
| Professor Mike Lyons MRIA | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Ganesh Vailaya | University of Southampton | |
| Dr Philip Leadbitter | University of Southampton | At a time where science is under so much pressure for parties who wish to detract from it, to tear up the important research and teaching that is delivered and makes the UK a power house for science, cutting this many jobs, after already cutting a similar number previously with no seeming future plan seems to be a dangerous path to be heading down for science in this country. |
| Mark Light | University of Southampton | |
| George Williams | University of Southampton | |
| Kat Swindells-Ridley | University of Southampton | |
| Chris Thomas | University College Dublin | |
| Dr David Rogers | University of Nottingham | |
| Dr David Hayes | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Carmen Domene | University of Bath | |
| Daniel Poole | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Heike Arnolds | University of Liverpool | |
| Dr Stephen Ebbens | University of Sheffield | |
| Daniel Hale | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Sally Bloodworth | University of Southampton | |
| Sam Thompson | University of Southampton | |
| Owen Tooley | University of Warwick | |
| Natalie Hallam | University of Sheffield | |
| George Healing | University of Southampton | |
| Dimitrios Ioannis Tzaras | University of Southampton | |
| Liljana Janackovic | University of Sheffield | |
| Freya Jobling-Powell | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr James Wright | University of Surrey | |
| Monica Felipe-Sotelo | University of Surrey | |
| Kofi Coke | University of Southampton | |
| Sami Hussain | Chemistry | |
| Briana Chapple | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Simon D Holland | University of Southampton | |
| Donatella Cassettari | University of St Andrews | |
| Hannah Greenwood | University of Sheffield | |
| Kezia Sasitharan | Newcastle University | |
| Nick Fletcher | Lancaster University | |
| Gregory Perry | University of Southampton | |
| Owen Hewitt | University of Southampton | |
| Tom Hellyar | University of Warwick | |
| Marina Gkoutzourela | University of Sheffield | |
| Daniela Carta | University of Surrey | |
| Matty Thomas-Fox | University of Sheffield | |
| Alex Wright | University of Sheffield | |
| Hannah jackson | University of Leeds | |
| freya beard | harper adams university | signing so my friend’s lecturers for her course don’t get fired while she’s studying as I really wouldn’t like this to happen to me and nobody involved deserves that! |
| Isabella Lee | Newcastle University | |
| Natasha Leeson | Cardiff university | Save chemistry |
| Mark Law | University College London | |
| Olive M | sheffield uni (next year) | |
| Timothy Neil Greenwood | European Energy Exchange AG | |
| Daniel Whelligan | University of Surrey | Sheffield has always been one of the top UK universities for chemistry education and research. It is a very well respected institution and so it is a shock that chemistry is proposed to be cut down in size and all that research and education potential diminished. |
| Efrosyni Themistou | Queen's University Belfast | |
| Francesca Kerton | Memorial University of Newfoundland | |
| Daniel Milledge | University of Sheffield | |
| Nicola Heron | Medicines Discovery Catapult | |
| Nathan Halcovitch | Lancaster University | |
| Dr Livia Bartok-Partay | University of Warwick | |
| Dr Paul Scattergood | Mining Remediation Authority | |
| Andrew Plant | University of Liverpool | |
| Sam Hamerton | University of Birmingham | |
| Richard Thompson | Durham university | |
| John Fielden | Lancaster University | |
| Ethan Holmes | Law | |
| Tim Barendt | University of Birmingham | |
| Kirsten Saville | University of Sheffield | |
| Chidum Ndu-anike | University of Sheffield | |
| Travis Disney | University of Sheffield | |
| James Ladbrook | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Helen Chadwick | Swansea University | |
| Jessica Wills | University of Kent | |
| Sumaiya Mohamed | University of Sheffield | |
| Sam Dean | UoS | |
| Simi Akingbade | SCAD | |
| Kaarthick Suresan | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Richard Douthwaite | University of York | Notwithstanding the distinguished contributions of the past, the future of Sheffield as a research intensive university is degraded without a viable chemistry department. Removing deadwood can stimulate growth. Evisceration does not. |
| Lucy | University of Sheffield | |
| James Maybury | The university of Sheffield | |
| David Williams | University of Sheffield | |
| Catherine Royle | University of Sheffield | |
| Elliot Ward | University of Sheffield | |
| John Varcoe | University of Surrey | Chemistry is vital to UK |
| Dr James Baxter | Stanford University | |
| Debbie Taiwo | University of Sheffield | |
| Max malia | University of Sheffield Chemistry student | |
| Liam Nykolyszyn | University of Sheffield | |
| dr peter b simpson | Peter Simpson Consulting Ltd | |
| Giuseppe Pileio | University of Southampton | |
| Prof Simon Parsons | University of Edinburgh | Closing, or reducing the capacity, of a Chemistry (or any 'hard' science) department is very obviously a strategic howler from point of view of economic sustainability. This announcement damages the UK's reputation in general and that of the University of Sheffield in particular. |
| Fredrik Schaufelberger | University of Warwick | |
| Ellen Wilson | European spallation source | |
| Ted Stanley | University of Sheffield | |
| Ila Thompson | Loughborough University | |
| Sarah Horswell | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Csilla Gyorgy | Bax Innovation (PhD from University of Sheffield) | I would not add anything further regarding the importance of chemistry education for scientific research, innovation and UK industry, simply because this letter already contains many distinguished voices explaining that aspect far better than I could. My perspective comes from a more personal and human side. I completed my PhD under the supervision of Prof. Steve Armes and also had the privilege of receiving occasional guidance from Prof. Anthony Ryan and Dr Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk throughout that period. I will always be grateful for their support, and, as others have already mentioned, it was a truly life-changing experience for me. During my PhD, I had numerous opportunities to attend international conferences and subsequently work in the USA. Throughout these experiences, I saw first-hand the esteem in which Prof. Steve Armes, Prof. Anthony Ryan and Dr Oleksandr O. Mykhaylyk are held internationally. Simply mentioning their names often changed the way conversations unfolded, reflecting the respect they command within the global scientific community. Over more than 20 years at this university, they have secured substantial research funding, supervised countless researchers who now work in academia and industry around the world, taught thousands of chemistry students, and helped establish the university's global reputation for research excellence. For me, hearing that individuals with such outstanding records of service and achievement could be threatened with redundancy feels deeply disrespectful and ungrateful on the part of the university. The UK is renowned for the quality of its higher education. However, education is not only about science, knowledge and facts, it is also about setting a moral example for students, young people and society as a whole. When people who have dedicated so much of their lives to an institution are treated in this way, what message does that send to current and future students? I have always looked at these lecturers with admiration because of their dedication, patience and genuine commitment to helping their students succeed. Even now, years later, I continue to hold them in the highest regard. I would strongly encourage the university's management to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions. There are always alternatives, the real question is whether there is sufficient willingness and effort to look for them. |
| Finn Russell | University of Sheffield | |
| James Tyson | University of Bristol | Save Sheffield chemistry |
| Sarah Hamill-Stewart | University of Sheffield | |
| Rebekah Pollard | Sheffield chemistry alumni | I wouldnt be where I am in my career without studying chemistry at Sheffield its a huge sadness that the future if this department is uncertain. |
| Dr Jamie H. Docherty | Lancaster University | Cutting Chemistry is not efficiency - it is institutional self-harm. A university that weakens its central science weakens medicine, materials, energy, industry, and its own credibility. |
| Matthew Sykes | Adelaide University | Postdoc in dept 2000-2005, I fully support this campaign! |
| Dominic McGrail | University of Sheffield | |
| Lynn Kamerlin FRSC FInstP | Georgia Institute of Technology | |
| Will Greenwood | University of Sheffield | I have been at Sheffield for six years, as a PhD student, a postdoc and now in the technical staff. Over those six years I have seen the department take cut after cut. Fire and rehire threats, job cuts, school and professional services restructures and workload increases. With this latest 'restructure' it is unlikely the department can continue to deliver excellent teaching and research. |
| Sarah Barnes | University of Leeds | |
| Professor Emeritus Carl Smythe | University of Sheffield | |
| Graham Tizzard | University of Southampton | |
| Dr Laraib Nisar | University of Sheffield | |
| Xue Yong | University of Liverpool | |
| Martyna Szulc | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr. Mark Dunning | Imperial college London | |
| James Warren, PhD, MChem, BSc | University of Manchester | Dr Laraib Nisar |
| Nkolika Atuanya | University of Sheffield | |
| John Miller | Retired | |
| Franck D’Agosto | CNRS University of Lyon 1 | |
| Guto Rhys | Cardiff University | |
| Charlotte Clark | University of Nottingham | |
| Hannah Ford | University of Sheffield | |
| Derek Chan | Sherwin-Williams | |
| Rebecca Hawker | The University of Queensland | |
| Xavier Bories-Azeau | RKW | I would like to express my deep concern regarding the proposed redundancies affecting Prof. Steven P. Armes and other colleagues in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. I completed my PhD in Polymer Chemistry under Prof. Armes’ supervision from 2000 to 2003 and looking back I remain deeply appreciative of the opportunity to work under his guidance. His mentorship and scientific rigor gave me not only a strong academic foundation, but also the confidence and credibility to take my next professional steps. The training and support I received from him helped me secure a position at DuPont, where I went on to build a 17-year career in a highly respected science-based company. I have also followed his work at Sheffied University over the years with great admiration and his contributions have had a significant and lasting impact on polymer chemistry. To consider making him redundant would, in my view, be a serious mistake. This would not simply be a loss for the University of Sheffield itself. It would also send a deeply troubling message about the value placed on scientific excellence, academic leadership, and internationally respected research within the UK. Protecting and supporting scientists of Prof. Armes’ calibre is not only in the interests of the University of Sheffield, but also in the interests of science in the UK and its international reputation. |
| Dr Mohammed Ismail | University of Hull | |
| Sumaiya Kashem | University of Sheffield | |
| Serena Cussen | University College Dublin | |
| Prof Vitaliy Khutoryanskiy FRSC FAPS FIMMM | University of Reading | Sheffield Chemistry has an outstanding international reputation and has been particularly strong in polymer and materials science for many decades. I have had the privilege of collaborating successfully with colleagues at Sheffield and have always been impressed by the quality of the research, teaching and scientific leadership within the department. The loss of expertise from such a distinguished department would be detrimental not only to Sheffield but also to the wider UK chemistry community. |
| Simon Hedley | Arcinova | |
| Markus Muellner | The University of Sydney | Chemistry is essential for the future as it develops the scientific literacy and problem solving skill much needed for our society and environment to adapt and survive. |
| Dr Mark Dauncey | Marks & Clerk LLP | |
| Prof Peter M.W. Gill | University of Sydney | This proposal is as wise as performing open-heart surgery on oneself |
| MALET Frédéric | ARKEMA | |
| Corey Jackson | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Logan Collignon | University of Sheffield | |
| Gregory Warr | University of Sydney | Chemistry at Sheffield has an outstanding research record that is recognised around the world. As a discipline, Chemistry is the critical enabler of technologies from energy and the environment to food and medicine. Gutting a department like this that creates new knowledge and trains future generations with core understanding is tragically shortsighted. |
| Alexander Broome | University of Sheffield | |
| Professor Terry Cosgrove | Bristol Chemistry | It is unthinkable that you would make some of your most brilliant and world leading staff in chemistry redundant- it is so short sighted! |
| Gair Ford | AstraZeneca | Foundational to my own career and a numerous other scientists in chemistry and other disciplines at the company I work for. |
| Dr Leonie Jones | University of York | |
| Dr Courtney Thompson | Unilever (UoS Alumni) | |
| Jianhui HUANG | TIANJIN UNIVERSITY | save chemistry save lives! |
| Abraham Chemtob | Université of Haute-Alsace (France) | I support the chemistry department of Sheffield University in their fight to save their jobs and expertise. Current downward trend in the number of students choosing chemistry courses should not justify employee redundancy. It is a short-term and counter-productive decision. What is happening now in UK universities will happen to other universities in Europe. |
| Dr Jenny Burnham | University of Sheffield | |
| Anna Warren | Diamond Light Source | |
| Susannah Calvert | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Jane Moore | Sheffield University Alumni | |
| James Bruce | The Open University | |
| James Wilson | Aston University | |
| Dr Benjamin Arenas | University of Edinburgh | |
| Dr Karrera Djoko | Durham University | |
| Lee Brian Anderson | Imperial College London | |
| Sofia Piticari | Imperial College London | |
| Jacopo Bertolotti | University of Exeter | |
| Peter Knowles | Cardiff University | |
| Daniel Dalland | Imperial College London | |
| Dr. Damla Ulker | University of Sheffield | I fully support this statement. I moved from Türkiye to the United Kingdom in 2021 to join the University of Sheffield and work with Professor Steven Armes, whose internationally recognised contributions and leadership in polymer and colloid science have helped establish Sheffield as a leading centre for chemical research. Chemistry at the University of Sheffield has long been recognised for its world-leading research and its ability to attract outstanding scientists from across the globe. Over the past two years, I have also greatly valued the opportunity to work with Professor Nick Turner, whose pioneering work on molecularly imprinted polymers, particularly their applications in molecular detection and protein interactions, highlights the strength of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield in translating fundamental research into impactful scientific advances. These experiences have reinforced my appreciation of the University's strength in attracting and nurturing world-leading scientific talent. As a member of the School of Mathematical and Physical Science Early Career Researcher (MPS ECR) Committee, I regularly engage with researchers from diverse disciplines and international backgrounds. Chemistry at the University of Sheffield plays a vital role in sustaining these collaborations, serving as a foundation for interdisciplinary research that connects the physical, biological, medical and engineering sciences. Its strength and reputation attract talented researchers and students from around the world, fostering the international partnerships that are essential for scientific innovation. The proposed reductions risk undermining this research ecosystem and diminishing Sheffield's ability to compete internationally. I believe that maintaining a strong Chemistry Department is critical not only for the future of the discipline itself, but also for preserving the University's standing as a globally recognised centre for interdisciplinary research, innovation and education. |
| Katherine Haxton | Keele University | |
| Martyn Chilton | Bibra toxicology advice and consulting | |
| Sofie Ried | University of Sheffield | |
| Eleanor Yates | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Deborah Beattie | None | |
| Rachel Platel | Lancaster University | |
| Julia Flynn | Sheffield alumni | |
| Nicholas White | Australian National University | Sheffield is a great chemistry department with a rich history - the proposed changes would be a devastating loss. |
| Stephen Mason | Retired Chartered Engineer. Det Norsk Veritas | As stated in the letter, chemistry is a fundamental building block for a modern society. The cuts proposed will harm the UK'S competitiveness. |
| Abbie O'Connor | University of Sheffield | |
| Rachael Greenhalgh | University of Southampton | |
| Andrew Povey | University of Manchester | I have collaborated with colleagues in Chemistry at Sheffield over many years and their research expertise is second to none and world class. The negative consequences of such short term thinking have been clearly expressed and these plans should be reconsidered. |
| Samuel Spires | University of Sheffield | |
| Samantha Dalby | Private Sector | |
| Dr Matt Mears | University of Sheffield | |
| Michael Bennink-Bai | University of Sheffield | |
| Mia Crowther | Queen Mary University of London | |
| Abhinove Seenivasan | University of Sheffield | |
| Helen Tunnicliffe | University of Sheffield Alumni | |
| Cecilia Lo | University of Reading | As a student from Reading who have just recently been through what you’re going through last year, it’s really ashamed that universities in the uk doesn’t value chemistry as a degree. |
| Skylar Rees | University of Aberystwyth | I work in biological and physical oceanography, a field that is inextricably linked to chemistry as the union of biology, geology, physics, chemistry and many more. Understanding chemistry, and more pertinently how it presents as change occurs, is fundamental for us and future generations to appreciate the scale and causality of climate change, a topic that will inevitably become more necessary as time goes on. Closing this department would be an unspeakable waste in a time in which the world needs chemistry more than ever. |
| David Hodgson | Durham University | |
| Ali Alharbi | Chemistry | |
| Cong-Duan Vo | Quantum Science Ltd | The University of Sheffield’s proposed cuts to key academic staff threaten the future of its world-leading Department of Chemistry. We urge the University to protect its scientists, students, and research excellence by preserving these vital positions. |
| Muthusamy Subramaniam | Sygnature discovery | |
| Dr Anna Roffey | UCL | Sheffield’s Chemistry Department is widely recognised for its excellence in teaching and its commitment to nurturing future scientists. Undermining this strength through further staff cuts would be both misguided and deeply short-sighted. |
| Ross Mathieson | University of Sheffield | |
| Emeritus Professor Barry T Pickup | University of Sheffield | |
| Gareth Williams | University of Sheffield | |
| Callum Evans MRSC | Sellafield Ltd | The chemistry department at the University of Sheffield played a significant role in who I am as a person today and has done for many many many more. It must be respected and maintained. |
| Alex Lewis | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof. Nikola P. Chmel | University of Warwick | Chemistry is the central science and a cornerstone of a healthy, research‑intensive university environment. It underpins advances across disciplines, from medicine and materials to energy and sustainability, and plays a critical role in attracting students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting regional and national innovation. A trajectory of managed decline in chemistry risks far‑reaching consequences, eroding not only disciplinary strength but the wider academic ecosystem that depends upon it. This is a very concerning development for Sheffield students, the wider University and the whole UK Chemistry community. |
| Ruby Oddie | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Ed Greenough | University of Warwick | While working at the University of Sheffield, I witnessed first-hand a highly industrious and collaborative Chemistry community. The department plays a vital role in supporting scientific research and industrial partnerships across the University, the region, and the UK. Its strength lies not only in its own research excellence but also in the way it enables and connects advances across disciplines. I strongly support this letter and urge the University to protect and invest in Chemistry at Sheffield rather than diminish a department that contributes so much to research, education, innovation, and regional prosperity. |
| Dr Mihriban Tuna | immutrin Ltd | Supporting my friend who is a lecturer at the department. |
| Ellis Hutton | Uni of Sheffield | |
| Prof Sarah Whitehouse | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr James Cosby | Unilever | |
| Dr Christopher Savory | Swansea University | |
| Dr Soneni Ndlovu | Cardiff University | The University of Sheffield School of Chemistry is one of the best in the country. I started my journey here and I had the best experience and had teachers who motivated me to stay in academia. I will always be grateful for what Sheffield did for me and I know the same goes for anyone who has studied at Sheffield. |
| Holly Williamson | University of Sheffield | |
| Jens Zinke | University of Leicester | |
| Dr Alvaro Martinez-Perez | University of Sheffield | Dear colleagues - You are not alone in your fight to defend the future of Chemistry in Sheffield. We stand by your side all the way |
| Dr Andrew Surman | King's College, London | |
| Dr Marie Deschamps | Carbogen Amcis | |
| Dr Andrew Burnett | University of Leeds | The Sheffield Chemistry Department has a long track record of both excellent teaching and research, the university management should be looking to support and strengthen them to allow there excellent work to continue. |
| Dr Georgia Rowe | Promethean Particles | |
| Dr Larry Hoteite | AstraZeneca | |
| Dr Robyn Orfitelli | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Phoebe Allan | University of Birmingham | |
| Matthew Letts | Formerly of The University of Sheffield | My time studying chemistry at Sheffield was formative. Downsizing the department makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. |
| Emily Race | University of Sheffield | |
| Associate Professor Tracey Clarke | University College London | The University of Sheffield's Department of Chemistry is renowned throughout Britain for the quality and depth of its research and, most notably, for the passion and integrity of its academic staff. Losing the heart of the department is unimaginable. |
| Dr Jake McClements | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Jonathan McDonough | Newcastle University | The UK's chemical industry is already in decline, and the only way for the UK to stay competitive with China and the US is to innovate. This ultimately requires a pipeline of graduates in STEM. Decisions like these will often 'balance the books' in the short term, at the expensive of incurring massive damage (financial, reputational, etc.) later on. |
| Dr Caroline Witton Warner | Radiometer | |
| Dr Christopher Evans | BAE Systems Submarines | |
| Professor Elspeth F Garman | University of Oxford | |
| Dr Greg Mutch | Newcastle University | I strongly support this petition. Chemistry is a cornerstone discipline that underpins innovation across science, medicine, engineering, and industry. Further cuts of this scale risk causing lasting damage to teaching, research, student opportunities, and the University's reputation. Sheffield should be investing in Chemistry's future, not diminishing one of its key strengths. |
| Dr Sonja Ostojin | UoS alumni | |
| Dr Daniela Plana | Keele University | |
| Dr Graeme Jones | Keele University | It is difficult to see how a university that aspires to address global challenges will achieve many without excellence in chemistry. This world needs more chemists. |
| Dr Julie Hyde | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Iona Ivalo | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Chloe Harold | Keele university | |
| Dr Thomas Speak | University of British Columbia | The constant restructuring, non replacement of staff and lack of support for what was previously one of the worlds top chemistry departments must stop. It deeply saddens me to see the institutional drive to gut what was once a bastion of research in the UK. |
| Mateusz Duda | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Steven Pih | Woodbridge high school | |
| David Growney | Lubrizol | The Chemistry department at the University of Sheffield was instrumental in giving me the training I required to pursue a career in the chemical industry. It wasn't very long ago that Chemistry at Sheffield was class leading, and it is extremely troubling to learn that a proposed solution to a recent downturn is to force redundancy on the very people that should be relied upon and trusted to build the department back to its former glory. There does not appear to be any long term strategy here, and an immediate saving of a small sum will be extremely detrimental to the long term income of a department that without investment now will not exist at all in the coming years. I strongly encourage you to completely re-think your strategy to enable Sheffield to continue to offer what is an essential subject for any university to offer, long into the future. |
| Dr Fernando Russo Abegão | Newcastle University | Chemistry is a fundamental discipline for all basic and applied sciences. It is critical for society to overcome the biggest sustainability challenges in our planet and country, drive industry and manufacturing, new medicines, more sustainable chemicals, materials and fuels. Downsizing chemistry higher education and research is incredibly detrimental for everyone and a short sighted saving. |
| Hubert Buksa | University of Sheffield | |
| Daniel Williams-Brown | University of Southampton | |
| Emeritus Professor Peter Monk | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Simon Turega | Sheffield Hallam University | Chemistry at the University of Sheffield is such a valuable resource for the UK! |
| Dr Denis Hartmann | University of Sheffield | |
| Isobel Meikle | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Emeritus Paul Christensen | Newcastle University UK | The UK cannot afford to lose its chemistry base |
| Eni Oko | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Rheanna Smith | Mercia School | |
| Professor Yaroslav Khimyak | University of East Anglia | |
| Dr Adrian Hobson FRSC | Retired | Please save Sheffield Chemistry |
| William Marsden | University of Sheffield | |
| Matthew Ball-Jones | Sai Life | |
| Dr Sophia Read | Marks & Clerk LLP (& UoS MChem Alumna) | |
| Nuria Garcia | University of Southampton | |
| Romy Higho | University of Sheffield | . |
| Charlotte connor | Graduate/alumni | |
| Kate Jones | Royal Society of Chemistry Toxicology group | |
| Dr Paul de Wolf | . | |
| Sabrina Johal | None | |
| Chris Lumley | Chemistry (retired) | |
| Victoria Lovett | TWI | |
| Dr Andrew McKinley MRSC MInstP | University of Bristol | |
| Anna Kirkham | University of Lancashire | |
| Joshua Lai | University of York | |
| Dr Theo Keane | MatNex | |
| Dr Simon Gerrard | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Frank Rutten | HAN University of Applied Sciences | Chemistry is more relevant than ever in our society and crucial for existential challenges we face. And employers need good chemistry graduates. We need more investment in our future, not less. |
| Adam | Hughes | |
| Rekha Keetoon | The University of Glasgow | |
| Bharani Sri | Mott Macdonald | |
| Dr Anne Fielder | American International School Budapest | |
| Amanda Barnes | Agilent Technologies | Please don’t do this. |
| Dr Martin McPhillie | University of Leeds | |
| Zainab | University of sheffield | |
| Dr Sweta Ladwa | University of Greenwich | |
| Prof Neil Williams | Kingston University | Sheffield Chemistry deserves better - the level of compulsory redundancies is unnecessary |
| Dr David Palomas | UCL | |
| Dr Oleta Norvilaite | Clean food group manufacturing (PhD in Sheffield chemistry) | |
| Daniel Castro | Haleon | |
| Professor Zoe Pikramenou | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Lance Twyman | University of Sheffield | |
| Florian Trummer | University of Stuttgart | |
| Clare Naughton MChem | BMet College | |
| Dr Matt Smith | University of Sunderland | |
| Dr Thomas King | University of Manchester | |
| Cate Anstöter | University of Glasgow | |
| Francesco Zerbetto | University of Bologna | |
| Remco Havenith | University of Groningen | |
| Peter Hommel | University of Sheffield | |
| Remi Chauvin | University of Toulouse | Chemistry is also a bridge - the bridge - between Science and Art, between the concrete and the abstract, between the social and the human. No time to elaborate… |
| Dr Ludovico Pipitó | Coventry University | |
| Prof. Zoltan Sternovsky | University of Colorado at Boulder | I was very sorry to hear about the proposed cuts to the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. I have collaborated with colleagues in Sheffield for many years, and their expertise has been an important part of research contributing to NASA missions aimed at understanding the chemical makeup of our Solar System and the search for habitable worlds. Sheffield Chemistry has built an outstanding international reputation, and it would be a real loss to see that weakened. Cuts on this scale risk damaging valuable research programs, long-standing collaborations, and opportunities for future students and researchers. I strongly hope the University will reconsider these proposals and support the long-term future of Chemistry at Sheffield. |
| Dr. Jennifer Allen | Research Institutes of Sweden | |
| Andrew Adams | EET | |
| Riccardo Zanasi | Università di Salerno | |
| Guglielmo Monaco | Università di Salerno | |
| R B Mallion | Peterhouse Cambridge | Over a period of some 60 or 70 years Sheffield's Chemistry Department has been one of the innovatively richest of those in the British universities, when judged by the consistency and quality of its research output. In just my own personal interaction and collaboration (in the field of Theoretical Chemistry) during that period I have encountered a Nobel Laureate and numerous Fellows of the Royal Society, all of whom have been on the faculty or have been undergraduates at Sheffield. Sheffield has been the cradle of my own particular area of study and, to me, it would indeed be heart-braking if such a heritage of reputation and scholarly expertise were to be wantonly sacrificed. |
| Sebastien Destercke | Centre National de la Recherche Scientific | |
| Bayan Samman | PhD in Chemistry from University of Sheffield | Chemistry is a pivotal science that underpins progress across fields such as medicine, engineering, energy, and environmental science. As we face global challenges including climate change, clean water scarcity, sustainable energy, and healthcare innovation, the demand for expert chemists to develop sustainable solutions is only increasing. As an overseas PhD graduate from the University of Sheffield, I have directly experienced the department’s global impact and excellence. It attracts international talent, fosters collaboration, and equips scientists with the skills needed to contribute meaningfully to research and industry worldwide. Reducing investment in chemistry risks weakening not only academic excellence but also the pipeline of skilled scientists needed to address critical scientific and industrial challenges. Having already seen the closure of the chemistry department where I earned my master’s degree, hearing this news about Sheffield Chemistry is deeply devastating. Save Sheffield Chemistry |
| Amparo Jimenez Quero | Chalmers University of Technology | |
| Tomaž Pisanski | University of Primorska | |
| Prof Stefan Bon | The University of Warwick | |
| Dr Lee Higham | Newcastle University | |
| Rengasayee Veeraraghavan | The Ohio State University | |
| Sam Ginzburg | University of Cambridge | |
| Ursula McGuone | University of Sheffield | |
| Jack Woodruff | University of Sheffield | |
| Iain Barlow | OXECO | |
| Joan Serrano-Plana | Springer Nature | |
| Alice Cook | University of Sheffield | |
| Thea Summers | University of Sheffield | |
| Dominic Tanner | University of Sheffield | |
| Annabel Almeda | University of Sheffield | |
| Ellen Owen | University of Sheffield | |
| Wrenna Clarke | University of Sheffield | |
| Tilly Walters | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Natalie Monks | AstraZeneca | |
| Timothy Cannam | University of Sheffield | Its an institutional failing that something so pivotal as chemistry should come under threat in this way. |
| Bultinck Patrick | Ghent University | |
| Ishbel Holt | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Jonathan Lee | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Felicity Noakes | Elsevier | |
| Dr Vilius Franckevicius | Lancaster University | Solidarity!! |
| Dr Amy McCarthy-Torrens | University of Bristol | |
| Liv Howard | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Stephen Faulkner | University of Oxford | |
| Prof Wei Xiong | University of California, San Diego | |
| Will | Ucl | |
| Dr Jonathan Danon | The University of Sydney | |
| Dr Sam Ivko | Department for Energy Security and Net Zero | |
| Professor Christopher S.P. McErlean | The University of Sydney | |
| Kavya Gopakumar | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Berni Hasenknopf | Sorbonne Université | |
| Dr Christopher Wilson | Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek | I grew up in South Yorkshire and the chemistry department in Sheffield was central in my career choices. Long time collaborator of many scientists at the department of chemistry. Led to the discovery of materials now used in mRNA delivery. |
| Prof Mary Pryce (Head School of Science) | Dublin City University | |
| Dr Tom James | AstraZeneca | |
| Dr Jan Goedgebeur | KU Leuven | |
| Dr Ulrich Hintermair | University of Bath | |
| Professor Anna Peacock | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Jonathan Shewring | Carl Zeiss Ltd | |
| Associate Professor Rebecca Corrigan | University College Dublin | |
| Dr Lauren McHugh | University of Liverpool | |
| Prof Adam Harvey | Newcastle University | |
| Dr Francesca Dennis | University of Bristol | |
| Christina Metcalfe | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr. David Danaci | Imperial College London | |
| Prof. Jacques Lalevée | CNRS-Université de Haute Alsace (France) | |
| Prof Irene Sciriha | University of Malta | The University of Sheffield would lose a vital part of its identity without the Department of Chemistry. The department has an outstanding international reputation, having been home to a Nobel Prize-winning academic and remaining at the forefront of research on fullerenes. For any research-intensive university, attracting and retaining leading scholars in disciplines such as Chemistry and Mathematics is essential to maintaining academic excellence, driving innovation, and sustaining its global standing. |
| Professor Jon Clipsham | University of Strathclyde | |
| Jana Green | University of Sheffield | |
| Naveen Naguleswaran | University of Birmingham | |
| Dr Ernesto G. Occhiato | University of Florence, Italy | |
| Dr Sacha Fop | University of Aberdeen | Chemistry is a foundational discipline whose strength underpins research, innovation and wider scientific progress. These proposed cuts would cause lasting harm to students, staff and the UK chemistry community, and I urge the University to withdraw the threat of compulsory redundancies. |
| Dr Jane Morrell | York College | A university without a thriving Chemistry department is not a serious university. |
| Enrique Gomez Bengoa | University Basque Country (EHU) | I fully agree with the letter |
| Dr Dan Weston | Penistone Grammar School | Having trained as a chemist under my previous name (Jenkinson) the academic and other staff within the department helped to fuel my enthusiasm and passion for the subject. A thorough understanding of chemistry is pivotal in understanding scientific concepts across all disciplines. Now as a chemistry teacher in a local school, the slow dismantling of the department will mean there are fewer suitable destinations for the students I teach in the local area. |
| Prof Phil Lightfoot | Emeritus | |
| Dr Charles McMonagle | SNBL at The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility | Collaborating with colleagues at Sheffield chemistry formed some of the most exciting and influential work of my career so far. With them we developed techniques and sample environments for national and internation Synchrotron central facilities. |
| Dr Jason Cole | CCDC | I have over the years with academics in Chemistry at Sheffield and always found them to be excellent partners in research. Chemistry is a central part of University teaching. The UK has a long history of punching above our weight given the size of our country in science. We have achieved this through sponsoring and funding our academic centres, and most importantly not losing sight of the long term view. |
| Dr Georgina Rosair | Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh | Chemistry is the science bridging biological and physical science and an investment in the future of our country |
| Prof. Katharina Edkins | University of Strathclyde | It is deeply worrying to see such a successful and well-established Chemistry Department under thread. If we want to fulfil the Governments ambition through its Industrial Strategy (IS8), we cannot lose the pillars that underpin industrial research with fundamental knowledge. Any University Leadership thinking otherwise should strongly reconsider! |
| Prof. Mark Senn | University of Warwick | |
| Dr Oxana Kotova | Trinity College Dublin | |
| Prof. Kenneth Lewtas | Universities of Warwick and Edinburgh. Lewtas Science & technologies Ltd. | As a long-standing industry manager and academic who has interacted and benefited from the Chemistry department at the University of Sheffield, I fully support the BCA letter to rethink the cuts that have been circulated. |
| Dr Craig Robertson | University of Sheffield | |
| Jacob Salt | Tata Steel UK Ltd | |
| Shiping Zhu | CUHK, Shenzhen | support |
| Dr Tony Bell | Sheffield Hallam University | Save the department where I did my first degree. |
| Hanna Boström | Stockholm university | |
| Anirudh Jakhmola | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Katie Thomas | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Suzanna Ward, Executive Director | The Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre | |
| Dr. Vernon Smith | Bruker AXS | |
| Dylan Flanagan | University of Bristol | |
| Dr Abigail Roberts | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Simon Meek | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | |
| Millie Chettleborough | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Hamish Yeung | University of Birmingham | |
| Assoc Prof C PERRUCHOT | Université Paris Cité (France) | Sheffield's University is a prestigious and world wide recognized Institution. Academic and applied research are of fundamental importance. Keep saving your Academic Researchers. |
| Jim Calcutt | University of Winchester | |
| Dr. Tobias Stürzer | Bruker AXS SE | |
| Rebecca Gibson | Unilever | |
| Cate O’Brien | Syngenta | |
| Emily Parkinson | Calibre Scientific | |
| Prof Natalia Korolkova | University of St. Andrews | Well-equipped and well-staffed, thriving Chemistry department is an essential component for any research intensive university. It would be a huge loss to Sheffield and to the UK as a whole if further positions will be cut. |
| Michael Wharmby | Bruker AXS SE | |
| Isobel Wright | University of Sheffield | |
| Jack Carlane-Smith | Calibre Scientific | |
| Aimee | University of Sheffield | |
| Alan Burling | University of Sheffield | |
| Jess Morris | Otago | |
| James wright | Compator | Please don’t close important department |
| Michael Carr | Bruker UK Limited | |
| Prof Michel Delamar | University Paris Diderot (Paris Cité , France) | A nation must support public research and researchers : they work for the benefit of all |
| Prof. Anthony Phillips | Queen Mary University of London | |
| Dr Cameron Wilson | University of Warwick | |
| Prof. Jonathan Rochford | University of Massachusetts Boston | I strongly support this open letter and stand in solidarity with collaborators, students, and staff at the University of Sheffield. A department with such a distinguished history and global impact should be strengthened—not diminished. These proposed cuts guarantee lasting damage to the University of Sheffield research, education, and the broader scientific community, and I strongly urge the university administration to reflect on the consequences of their proposal and to reconsider their stance. |
| Dr Samantha Peralta Arriaga | Chemistry | |
| Dr Katherine Sapsford | Syngenta | |
| Dr Nicholas Penfold | Syngenta | |
| Joel Parkins | Autism Together | |
| Barry Teobald | Biotech research | |
| Professor Steve Marsden | University of Leeds | Sheffield is home to outstanding research both within the discipline and bridging to others. Staff reductions on this scale will have significant impact well beyond chemistry. I urge the University management to reconsider this decision. |
| Andrea Biffis | University of Padua, Italy | |
| Dr. Samuel J. Armistead | University of Colorado Boulder | The University of Sheffield's Chemistry Department established the foundations of my interdisciplinary academic career. Having moved from chemistry to civil engineering materials, I know how important chemistry is as a discipline, and how much the expertise is lacking in other disciplines. With AI and increased digitilisation, many other disciplines will look to chemistry to help to contextualise the rich datasets generated. It therefore seems incredibly short sorted to shrink a department which is going to be central to the upcoming wave of discoveries. |
| Dr Giacomo Crisenza | The University of Manchester | |
| Emeritus Professor Jonathan B. Cooper | UCL | Chemistry has long been of outstanding importance in the molecular biology and biomedical fields (with which I have some familiarity) and I am sure its impact has likewise been huge in other disciplines. The Department in Sheffield is one of the highest calibre institutes in the UK, with formidable achievements in research and teaching extending far back in time. Current research there is prolific, imaginative and internationally competitive as well as having an excellent track record of securing external peer-reviewed funding. I have no hesitation in recommending that the Department of Chemistry in Sheffield be supported in these difficult times when the temptation to rectify short-term losses may ultimately sacrifice long-term economic and strategic gains. |
| Prof Rob Dryfe | University of Manchester | This is a dangerous proposal, motivated by short-term, not long-term considerations. |
| Dr Ashok Keerthi | The University of Manchester | Save Sheffield Chemistry |
| Dr Alexander Romanov | University of Manchester | |
| Prof Patrick Steel | Durham University | |
| Mat Pringle | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Francis S Mair | The University of Manchester | University of Sheffield has a distinguished department that serves south Yorkshire. It is not in the best interests of the country to have a gap in provision, especially after the loss of Hull. It is also not in the best interests of the reputation of University of Sheffield to gut its Chemistry Department. A serious university must have all of the central sciences robustly represented. Look elsewhere for cuts, if cuts are required. VC salary is one place I would look first. |
| Professor Uta Wille | The University of Melbourne | |
| Prof. Megan Maher | The University of Melbourne | |
| Prof Garry Hanan | Université de Montréal | |
| Prof Igor Larrosa | University of Manchester | |
| Sioe See Volaric | The University of Melbourne | There has to be another solution to cutbacks. Engage outside the square and rethink about the proposal for restructuring |
| Prof. Nicholas Chilton | The Australian National University, The University of Manchester | |
| Dr Derren Heyes | University of Manchester | |
| Prof Cinzia Casiraghi | university of Manchester | |
| Dr Mateusz Gosecki | Polish Academy of Sciences | Sheffield was the place I pursuit for my post doc fellowship. It never failed my expectation. I wish it will be the same for my students. Don't waste your potential that is primarily in your staff. |
| Dr Christopher Pask | University of Leeds | |
| Eleanor Keil | The University of Southampton | |
| Thomas Blundell | ChainCraft / UoS Chemistry Alumni | Studying Chemistry at the University of Sheffield was a fantastic foundation for a career in the chemical industry. Slashing the department headcount would be a devastating blow to such a well renowned institution, and must be prevented. |
| Prof Tasnim Munshi | Keele University | |
| Dr Aaron Trowbridge | University of Manchester | |
| Prof Daniel Taton | University of Bordeaux | |
| Dr. Jordan Berreur | University of Manchester | |
| Dr Matt Rymaruk | Syngenta | |
| Jessica Ince | University of Manchester | |
| Prof Paul Popelier | The University of Manchester | |
| Dr Robert Edkins | University of Strathclyde | Sheffield has an excellent chemistry department delivering internationally competitive research and teaching. The proposed cuts will seriously harm the University's reputation. Don't do it! |
| Dr Jenny Hughes | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Harry Morgan | University of Manchester | Chemistry is a vital part of the UK's technological and economic future |
| Prof Stefano Menichetti | Department of Chemistry University of Florence | As a former PostDoc student of the Deaprtment of Chemistry in Sheffield a strongly support its safe |
| Dr Jack Rowbotham | University of Manchester | |
| Prof David Lidzey | University of Sheffield | Chemistry graduates are critical workers in many UK companies. Sheffield should invest in this subject, not pull it apart. |
| Dr Francesca Ridi | Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff" University of Florence, Italy | |
| Dr Conrad Goodwin | University of Manchester | Understanding the world around us and addressing the needs of the day requires chemistry. The modern world is built on chemistry, and it will continue to drive growth in the future. It is almost inconceivable to imagine how a well-established University will place itself on the national and global stage with a chemistry department that will be unable to function. A 40% reduction in staffing is not simply a cost-cutting measure; it is a death knell. |
| Dr Katie Powell | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Andrea Trabocchi | University of Florence | |
| Dr Anthony Gee | Evotec | Stop the UK brain drain |
| Dr Stephen Flower | University of Bath | |
| Dr John Lowe | University of Bath | |
| Assoc Prof Camilla Parmeggiani | University of Florence | |
| Joe Large | Amentum | Cuts in Chemistry is a backward step. We should be supporting STEM subjects, not reducing them, as we give our young people the skills to help solve world's biggest challenges, such as climate change |
| Professor Emeritus Matthew Cobb | University of Manchester | As a double alumnus of Sheffield (BA, PhD) I was deeply disappointed and alarmed to hear this news. The University must abandon its proposal for the sake of its reputation, and to help safeguard the future of British science. |
| Dr Dina Scarpi | Dept of Chemistry, University of Florence (Italy) | |
| Dr Giulia Vanti | University of Florence | |
| Dr. Thomas Logothetis | University of Southampton | |
| Dr Christopher Kay | Interface Polymers Ltd / University of Warwick | Chemistry is fundamental. The building blocks of today's, and tomorrow's, technologies are found and understood in the Chemistry department. |
| Esther Keyworth | Kings College London | |
| Assoc Prof Serena Orlandini | University of Florence | |
| Anjali Jayakumar | Newcastle University | |
| Michelle Morgan | University of Sheffield | |
| Assoc Prof Sandra Ristori | Chemistry Department, University of Florence | |
| Dr Lynne Bingle | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Sarah-Jane Richards | University of Manchester | Sheffield alumnus |
| Dr Luis F Valdez Perez | Sygnature Discovery | |
| Dr Laura Shallcross | University of Sheffield alumni | When I studied at the University of Sheffield, the Chemistry Department worked excellently because of it's staff, not in spite of them. Making brilliant academics redundant will not solve the underlying funding issues within the University and may well make them worse as there will be nothing to attract new students. |
| Dr Robert Hyde | University of Salford | |
| Dr Nathan Adams (PhD Sheffield Chemistry) | NanoTemper Technologies GmbH | |
| Robert Gordon | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr James Pidgeon | University of Sheffield | |
| Emeritus Professor Arnout Ceulemans | KULeuven | |
| Dr Stephen Mansell | Heriot-Watt University | |
| Prof Gianni Cardini | Università di Firenze | |
| Prof Yamuna Krishnan | The University of Chicago | I am saddened by the suffocation of Science and Universities on both sides of the Atlantic. The reason is that Big Tech and Big Industry who under-write political campaigns only need semi-educated humans who can be forced to earn low wages. A vibrant education accessible to all not only gives them potential competition in the future as creative and independent thinkers, but the tech-bros and CEOs will have to pay their workforce more. Ask, “Who gains when a nation’s education levels are compromised”? Giant industry and Politicians. They have finally found their symbiotic equation. Kill Universities, Industry gets to exploit more uneducated people, more uneducated people can vote politicians into power. The Dark Ages return. |
| Dr Martin Dewey-Findell | University of Nottingham | Sheffield alumnus |
| Amelia Wood | Greenpeace | |
| Beth Ritchie | Envision Pharma Group | |
| Wim Bras | Technical University Eindhoven and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (retired) | Excellent department with an extraordinary X-ray facility |
| Dr Craig A Roberts | The Manchester Grammar School | I completed my degree and PhD at Sheffield between 1991 & 1997. Myself and many of my colleagues have gone on to successful careers in chemistry at a wide range of institutions, including some of the biggest global companies. This all began because of the level of training and quality of teaching received at this outstanding department. We must protect the integrity of quality chemistry departments that continue to produce leading scientists, problem solved, deep thinkers and individuals that go on to genuinely make a difference. |
| Dr Mark Maybury | AstraZeneca | |
| Prof David Mills | The University of Manchester | |
| Rachel Benzies | Retired | PhD Alumnus of Sheffield |
| Assoc Prof Lars Goerigk | The University of Melbourne | Chemistry is THE central science and is essential to solving current global problems and to lead us into a better, more sustainable, healthier future. Cuts like these are extremely short-sighted, will have a lasting, negative impact, and will cause more long-term harm than short-term financial benefit. |
| Prof Jason Lynam | University of York | I know from first-hand experience that Sheffield Chemistry has outstanding scientists performing world-class research. They provide a valued environment and promote an extremely positive student experience, ensuring a high-quality and education. I urge the institution to take every measure to support both students and staff. |
| Prof Nicholas C. O. Tomkinson | University of Strathclyde | |
| Dr David Alker | Chemistry consultant | I strongly reject the proposed downgrading of the chemistry department at Sheffield. A vibrant, strong and well resourced chemistry department is vital to the health of all major universities. It is also in the national interest that teaching and research in this core, fundamental science is expanded rather than reduced. The future economic health of the nation and the safety and well-being of its population is and will remain critically dependent on chemistry |
| Prof JOSE M. VILA | UNIVERSIDAD DE SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA | I have enjoyed a successful collaboration with the Department of Chemistry at Sheffiled University since the mid-1990s. And I still do, with retired members who selflessly offer their help. It is a shame that such a successful department should be facing these circumstances, and I believe that rather than closing it down, it should be helped in order to continue its important work in chemical research. |
| Dr Mark Sarsfield | IAEA | Sad to see we have got to this place. |
| Dr Hooshang S. Zavareh | ChemPharmaServe Ltd | As someone who obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield and subsequently carried out postdoctoral research there, I find this news both shocking and deeply disappointing. The University has long enjoyed an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching and research, and it has made significant contributions to scientific advancement as well as to the wider community. I fully appreciate the financial and operational challenges facing universities across the UK at present. Nevertheless, it is difficult to see how measures of this nature can be implemented without potentially undermining the institution's academic strength, research capabilities, and long-term standing. I sincerely hope that a more constructive and satisfactory resolution can be found through meaningful dialogue and collaboration between all parties involved. Such an outcome would help preserve the University's exceptional legacy while safeguarding its future as a leading centre of education and research. |
| Ruhksana Quyoum | AF CHempharm Ltd | A department with a long-standing record of excellence, including the training or employment of Nobel Laureates, represents far more than an administrative unit. It embodies decades of accumulated expertise, international reputation, research culture, industrial partnerships, and academic leadership. Restructuring such a department carries significant risks. World-class research environments are built over generations through the recruitment of outstanding staff, investment in specialist infrastructure, and the development of collaborative networks. Once these ecosystems are disrupted, they can be extremely difficult and costly to rebuild. A highly regarded Chemistry Department contributes substantially to an institution's reputation, attracting talented students, leading academics, research funding, industrial collaborations, and philanthropic support. Its success often extends beyond chemistry itself, supporting interdisciplinary research in medicine, materials science, engineering, sustainability, energy, and pharmaceutical development. The presence of Nobel Prize-winning scientists, whether current or former members of the department, is evidence of a culture that fosters scientific excellence and innovation. Such achievements enhance the institution's global standing and provide inspiration and opportunity for future generations of researchers and students. Rather than restructuring a department with a proven record of international excellence, efforts should focus on strengthening and supporting its existing capabilities, ensuring that its expertise, reputation, and contribution to society are preserved and enhanced. Strategic investment in successful departments is more likely to generate long-term academic, scientific, and economic benefits than organisational changes that risk undermining established strengths. In an increasingly competitive global research environment, institutions should be careful not to weaken areas in which they already possess recognised international leadership. Preserving excellence is often more effective than attempting to recreate it elsewhere. |
| Anyah Settle | University of Sheffield | |
| Zak Hughes | University of Bradford | |
| Martin Dyer | University of Sheffield | |
| Philip Drake | University of Bradford | Chemistry degrees and research are an essential component in supplying the future workforce to the UKs chemical science sector, strengthening the economic and social impact of the UK Plc. They are also an essential part of helping the international community tackle the most urgent problems facing the planet, including environmental protection, energy security, health and a carbon neutral society. Closing these routes threatens everyone's futures. Sheffield Chemistry has led on these fronts for generations and needs investment and support not cuts and staff reductions. |
| Steve Roberts | Retired Physicist | Science is at the very basis of any civilised society and should be at the heart of any University’s mission |
| Dr Benjamin Horrocks | Newcastle University, UK | |
| Prof. Helen Bryant | University of Sheffield | |
| Professor Tao Wang | Cardiff University | unbelievable |
| Professor David Mowbray | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr David Dean | Retired medicinal chemist (GSK, SB, Beecham and Selcia) | Appalling, Very short sighted idea |
| Ryan Mallen | HDFT | |
| Dr Craig Jamieson | University of Strathclyde | |
| Andreas Almqvist | Luleå University of Technology | A University without a Chemistry Department or even a Chemistry Division is not to be treated as a University at all. |
| Prof. Dr. Wojciech Gawelda | Paderborn University | |
| Professor AnnMarie O'Donoghue | Durham University | Sheffield Chemistry is an integral part of UK Chemistry with an impressive history of scientific achievements. As clearly described by others, the down-sizing and weakening of Chemistry in Sheffield will damage the reputation of the university. As one of the core fundamental sciences, Chemistry deserves investment to support long-term prosperity of the university. |
| Dr. Stephen Hickey | University of Bradford | |
| Dr Thomas Walther | University of Sheffield | It is sad to see cuts imposed by a completely ignorant University Executive Board who lament the university's diminishing reputation and resources which they are mostly themselves responsible for. The assets of a university are not its buildings, not its management structure and not its leaders, it is the teaching and research staff and the students. If they leave, then a university will fail. |
| Dr Inigo J. Vitorica Yrezabal | Rigaku Europe | |
| Prof Naomi Ginsberg | University of California, Berkeley | |
| Dr David Pearson | Sygnature Discovery | |
| Raych Carbery | King Edward’s School, Bath | |
| Dr Prioti Choudhury Purba | Loughborough University | |
| Dr Maciej Lorenc | University Rennes | |
| Prof Paola Luches | Nanoscience Institute, CNR | |
| Dr Clare Megarity | The University of Manchester | |
| Dr Alasdair Rigby | University of Sheffield | |
| Johanna Fish | University of Southampton | Chemistry is the central science that powers all others. Divesting in your chemistry department means a divestment from science-driven innovation. |
| Xuewei Wan | Covestro | |
| Katharine Ingram | Syngenta | |
| Dr Alice Johnson | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Dr Joy Debgupta | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Dr Rosalind Wolstenholme | Sheffield Hallam University | For managers, it is much easier to cut than to build. Chemistry is so fundamental to the world's problem. Investing is the long-term solution. Cuts are the short-term instant gratification. |
| Dr Neil Cross | Sheffield Hallam university | |
| Dr Mathew Cross | University of Edinburgh | |
| Evie Karkera | Royal Society of Chemisty | |
| William Parsons | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Chris Kozak | Memorial University of Newfoundland | Fight the cuts! |
| Prof James K. McCusker | Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University | Chemistry is the most central of the physical sciences: it touches everything from biology to physics to engineering. Dismantling the (well respected) department at Sheffield is not only wrongheaded on its face, it will irreparably diminish the quality of students' education at Sheffield for generations to come. The people making these decisions should be well advised to appreciate the fact that it is far easier to destroy than to create: once you go down this path then realize what a mistake you've made, it will cost 10X in time, money, and effort to rebuild what you are proposing to destroy. |
| Prof Claudia Turro | The Ohio State University | |
| Dr Robert Schoenlein | Stanford University, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory | It is very short-sighted to cut funding for a foundational science area that is a major long-term driver of economic competitiveness and prosperity. This seems to be a prime example of being "penny wise and pound foolish". |
| Dr Rebecca Ley | NA | |
| Prof. Kim Jelfs | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Rob Forrest | SMT Ltd | |
| Jasmine Singh | The University of Sheffield | |
| Medhansh Tripathi | University of Sheffield | |
| Priyanka Chohan | University of Sheffield | |
| Richard Collins | N/A | |
| Professor Jonathan Steed | Durham University | |
| Dr Andrea Floris | University of Lincoln | |
| Dr John Brazier | University or Reading | |
| Zak Pinkney | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Paul Beer | University of Oxford | |
| Dr Chetan Lad | Former Dept student | |
| Thibault Sampon | Maastricht University | |
| Mina Petkovic | TU Wien | |
| Dr Selina Bingel | TU Wien | |
| Dr Omar Rifaie Graham | Queen Mary University of London | |
| Hannah N Turney | King’s College London | |
| Dr Julia Rho | UCL | |
| Prof Luca Gonsalvi | National Research Council of Italy (CNR) | As former PhD student at The University of Sheffield Department of Chemistry, one of the leading UK research centers, I strongly support this petition. |
| Xiao Hua | Lancaster University | |
| Wodu Majin | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Pamela Pasetto | Le Mans Université | Do not fire excellent scientists! |
| Assoc Prof Antonella Capperucci | University of Florence, Italy-Department of Chemistry | |
| Prof. Basile F. E. Curchod | University of Bristol | |
| Georgina Tagg | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Jasmine Lightfoot | jasmine.lightfoot@stfc.ac.uk | |
| Dr Jennifer Train | London Southbank University | |
| Dr Holly Redman | University of Sheffield Chemistry Alumni | |
| Dr Andy Sadler | Proofpoint | |
| Charlotte Morse | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Hugo Dominguez | University of Bristol | |
| Martin Walker | Edinburgh,York, Durham and Birmingham | |
| Victoria Seville | Wrays Patent Attorneys | |
| Joseph Ward | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Benedict Smith | University of Lincoln | |
| Dr Glenn Sunley FRSC | Retired | PhD and post-doc at Sheffield prepared me well for a rewarding and successful career in industry |
| Dr Sophie Greaves | Innospec Inc | |
| Dr Elizabeth Wigley | Sherwin Williams | |
| Sarah Canning | Infineum UK Ltd | |
| Dr Luke Delmas | Imperial College London | |
| Assoc Prof Aleksandar Ivanov | Imperial college london | |
| Prof Don Craig | Imperial College London | |
| Professor Joshua Edel | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Josef Boronski | Imperial College London | |
| Prof. George Britovsek FRSC | Imperial College London | |
| Assoc Prof Alex Ganose | Imperial College London | |
| Molly Willis | The University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Fernando Bresme | Imperial College | |
| Dr. Andreas Kafizas | Imperial College London | |
| Prof. Maxie Roessler | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Patrick Thomson SFHEA | University of Strathclyde | Solidarity! |
| Prof John Seddon | Imperial College London | I am strongly against this plan. |
| Dr Silvia Diez-Gonzalez | Imperial College | |
| Dr. Artem Bakulin | Imperial College London | |
| Prof. Dr. Stefan Bräse | Karlsruhe Institute of Technology | We have had and had a very productive collaboration from KIT in Germany to Sheffield chemistry - it should continue in the future. |
| Nikolas Stefanidis | University of Sheffield | |
| Joshua Smith | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Ravi Singh | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Sam Emslie | The University of Texas at Austin | |
| Dr Daniel Cox | HFR | |
| Dr Andrew Worrall | University of Oxford | |
| Dr Alexandre Fürstenberg | University of Geneva | |
| Prof. David J Fermin | University of Bristol | |
| Dr Sam Nunez | Merrow Scientific | |
| Dr Alberto Collauto | Imperial College London | |
| Prof Philippe Wernet | Uppsala University | |
| Professor Alexei Kornyshev, Chair in Chemical Physics Physics, FinstP, FRSC, FISE, FUPAC, FRDAS | Imperial College London | |
| Prof Ramon Vilar | Imperial College London | |
| Art van der Est, Professor Emeritus | Brock University, Canada | |
| Prof. Dustin Duncan | Brock University | |
| Prof. Paul Zelisko | Brock University | |
| Dr Alison Hill | University of Exeter | |
| Kevin Morgan | Queen’s University Belfast | |
| Dr Chiran Mistry | University of Limerick | |
| Prof Jon Marangos | Physics Department, Imperial College | Cutting the capacity to do basic science is not a strategy for growth or long term prosperity. |
| Dr Josh Wardrop | Cranfield University | |
| Steve Shearan | Swansea University | |
| Dr Nick Chatterton | The Open University (ex Sheffield Chemistry staff member) | Solidarity |
| Prof Alan Armstrong | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Isobel Piper | University of Sheffield | |
| Leon Louw | University of Sheffield Chemistry | |
| Prof Nicholas Warren | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Ademola Adetona | The University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Rachel Schwartz-Narbonne | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Emil McLean | York | |
| Prof Adam Kirrander | University of Oxford | This would be a major loss to chemistry research in the UK - I sincerely hope Sheffield will reconsider this ill-advised decision. |
| Prof Tom McDonald | University of Manchester | |
| Simon Doughty | Imperial College London | |
| Dr Stephen Potts | University College London | |
| Dr Kathryn Arpino | University of Liverpool | |
| Jack Patchitt | Sheffield Hallam University | It’s a shame that they do not see the full ramifications of this action, not just from the negative impact this will have to their students who enrol, and the quality of the teaching and technical education but also limits the collaboratory ability of their staff/researchers and it’s a shame that they think this financial cut will be to the universities benefit when in fact it will lead to a long term hindrance to what UOS can achieve & offer. Financial cuts like this will not bring the long-term stability that they think it will & sacrifices too much for so many. Please reconsider this decision. |
| Prof Raymond Jones | Loughborough university | Crazy to emaciate a great Department |
| Dr Mark Fields C. Chem., FRSC | Cairn Technology Limited | |
| Prof Rob Law | Imperial College London | |
| Joshua Aistrop | University of Sheffield | The university management's cultural vandalism is abhorrent yet another betrayal of the founding principles which once made this institution special. Shame. |
| Lucas Deighton | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof. Robin Taylor FRSC | University of Machester & UKNNL | |
| Dr Tom Bassindale | Sheffield Hallam | |
| Dr. Alaa Kadhim | The University of Sheffield | |
| Prof. Eddie Cussen, FRSC | Technological University Dublin | |
| Alex Thumwood | Oxford University | |
| Dr Carla Gutiérrez Ramos | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr. Daniel Zehm | Fraunhofer | It's sad to read news like that. I can hardly see how the quality of teaching is supposed to be maintained if the intended cuts are to be realized. And I am also not sure whether this measure will help to address the skills shortage the UK is apparently facing. |
| Georgia Millard | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Ruth Franklin | Sheffield Hallam University | |
| Marina Maican | University of Sheffield | |
| Mbako Robinson Ateh | BMRC | |
| Sam Gallagher | University of Sheffield | |
| Usman Khan | Sheffield Hallam | |
| Simona Francese | Sheffield Hallam University | Don't shoot yourself in the foot |
| Dr. Stephen Greiff | - | |
| Sofia Olendraru | University of Edinburgh | |
| Kathy Entwistle | NA | |
| NEIL ENTWISTLE | N/a | Seems like a bad idea. |
| rob gallagher | Shropshire Council | |
| Kathryn Wiggett | Leeds Uni BSc | |
| Paul Dunbar | North West Ambulance Service | |
| Gwyneth Lindsay | Retired | Chemistry is a vital part of scientific education. |
| Prof Stephen Meech | University of East Anglia | |
| David Mitchell | Glasgow University | |
| Owain Proctor | University of Sheffield | |
| Helen Fexy | Trinity dublin | |
| Frank Sidaway | University of Sheffield | University of Sheffield Alumni |
| Alfie Ward | Cardiff University | |
| Daniel Geiger | Chemistry University of Sheffield | |
| Lucy Blackburn | Halifax Academy | |
| Harry McNicol | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Olivier Cayre | University of Leeds | |
| Dan Woodman | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Xianfu Li | Hypha Discovery Ltd | |
| Gabriella Smith | Moonshot AS | |
| Lucy Ellender | The University of Sheffield | |
| Louis Fieldhouse | University of sheffield | |
| Martina Ruiz | Universidad Torcuato Ditella | |
| Grace Lenihan | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Sarah Needham | UKRI:STFC | |
| Raymond Fisher | Retired | The proposed reduction would lead to a great loss to chemistry and to the city of Sheffield. |
| Prof Marina Freitag | Newcastle University | Chemistry is one of core sciences of any serious university! |
| Andrzej Machowski MChem | University of Sheffield | |
| Professor Anna Larsen | Ithaca College | |
| Prof Jeremy HARVEY | KU Leuven | |
| Pat Dunbar | Retired pharmacist | |
| Dr Benji Fenech-Salerno | Imperial College London | |
| Prof. dr. Anthony J. H. M. Meijer, FRAS FRSC | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Jon Hillier | Freie Universität Berlin | |
| Prof Dermot Brougham | University College Dublin | |
| Prof Chris Elles | University of Kansas | |
| Dr Michael Trikic | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Xiao Ma | DAF | |
| Dr Andrea Laybourn | University of Leeds | |
| Adam Ford | American International School Chennai | |
| Ellie Croot | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Rory Cowin | Rosalind Franklin Institute | |
| Prof. Dr. Renske M. van der Veen | Helmholtz Center Berlin for Materials and Energy, Germany | |
| Prof Sven L M Schroeder | University of Leeds | |
| Dr Ben Bower | BlueScientific | |
| Eli Zysman-Colman` | University of St Andrews | |
| Dr David Miller | Cardiff University | |
| Lucy Goldstone | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof. Frederik Claeyssens | University of sheffield | |
| Tom Anstey | University of Oxford | |
| Dr Megan Bryden | University of Glasgow | |
| William Dean | Barker Brettell | |
| Prof Keith Gordon FRSNZ | University of Otago | |
| Dr Lisa Varley | Aon | |
| Prof. Saskia Lindhoud | University of Twente | |
| Andrew Pike | Newcastle | |
| Catherine Entwistle | Newcastle University | Save Sheffield chemistry |
| Dr Richard Kemp | Chemical consultant | |
| Amanda Manso Pena | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Alexandra Bailie MRSC | STFC | |
| Soumya Mukherjee | University of Limerick | Appropriate funding/ support mechanisms must be identified and implemented to resuscitate the Department of Chemistry at the University of Sheffield. |
| Dr Michael Plevin | University of York | |
| Richard Cox | university of Bristol | |
| Dr Charlie Simms | University of Edinburgh | |
| Dr Teyrnon Jones | Alembia Intellectual Property | |
| Dr. Elliott Denton | University of Konstanz | |
| Kitty Agace | University of Edinburgh | |
| Dr Rupak Saha | University of Sheffield | |
| Prof Fausto Puntoriero | University of Messina | |
| Lucy Piekarska | University of sheffield | |
| Rebecca Ingle | University College London | |
| Daniel Beesley | University of Sheffield | |
| Dr Luke Johnson | University College Dublin | |
| David Morgan | LabLogic Ltd | |
| Neftali Flores-Rodriguez | Uuniverity of Sydney | |
| Prof. Matthew Langton | University of Oxford | |
| Dr. Mike Weir | University of Nottingham | |
| Dr Matthew Haynes | University of Oxford (alum) | |
| Mia Batchelor | University of York Alumni | As a graduate in Chemistry looking to push themselves academically at highly respected research institution, Sheffield is a top contender for my prospective PhD application. I'm gutted to hear about the proposed cuts to staffing, and would urge the university to reconsider. |
| Thomas Bradbury | University of Sheffield |
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